Resources included in these libraries were submitted by ITEST projects or STELAR and are relevant to the work of the NSF ITEST Program. PDFs and/or URLs to the original resource are included in the resource description whenever possible. In some cases, full text publications are located behind publishers’ paywalls and a fee or membership to the third party site may be required for access. Permission for use must be requested through the publisher or author listed in each entry.
GLOBE and the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
PublicationTo support U.S. schools, districts, and states in the adoption of the new national science standards, the GLOBE U.S. Partner Community developed "A Guide to Connections between The GLOBE Program and the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)" through the support of a grant from the National Science Foundation. This guide connects GLOBE protocols and resources to the NGSS Framework and can be used as a resource for digital curriculum platforms.
WaterBotics Program Introduces Kids to Science
PublicationLocal NJTV news segment WaterBotics Program Introduces Kids to Science
Engineering the Entrepreneurial Spirit
PublicationA sensor-based heart rate monitor that detects a low pulse. A robotic arm that can do housework. A device that can charge a mobile phone while riding on a skateboard. Together, Cal State Fullerton engineering and business majors and junior high students used their imaginations and created these — and more — innovative products and inventions.
What is WaterBotics?, Mercedes McKay & Adam Scribner
PublicationSteve Adubato goes one-on-one with Mercedes McKay and Adam Scribner from Stevens Institute of Technology to discuss their educational program, WaterBotics, and what role LEGOs play in the unique project.
Design-based Information Technologies Learning Experience Project for K-12 STEM Outreach
PublicationThis paper presents the design of the Design-Based Information Technologies Learning Experiences (DITLE) project, a large K-12 STEM outreach project supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF). It impacts IT education among six public high schools in a metropolitan area. The designed activities of the project are presented and shared with the education research community to invoke discussion. The project is currently in its first year of a three-year grant period. The lessons and experiences learned so far are also summarized for discussion.
WaterBotics: A Novel Engineering Design Curriculum for Formal and Informal Educational Settings
PublicationWaterBotics has been implemented with thousands of middle and high school youths in five U.S. geographic regions.The underwater environment presents novel challenges that can facilitate unique learning experiences for students engaged in robotics programs. WaterBotics® is an underwater robotics curriculum using LEGO® MINDSTORMS®components and related materials. It has undergone an extensive, eight-year research and development phase. WaterBotics can be used effectively in a variety of formal and informal educational settings, such as school-based classrooms, summer camps, and after-school
Growing a K-12 Community of Practice
PublicationIn this experience report, we share our experiences in growing a community of practice for middle and high school teachers focused on teaching introductory computing with Alice. We have offered professional development for over four hundred teachers, teachers who each year provide nearly 2,000 students with an introductory computing experience in courses during the school day. We report on several lessons learned in creating, growing, and supporting a community of practice. (NOTE: Fee or membership is required to access)
NetSci High: Bringing Network Science Research to High Schools
PublicationA paper describing the success of the project NetSci High is now published as part of the proceedings for the 6th Workshop on Complex Networks (CompleNet).We present NetSci High, our NSF-funded educational outreach program that connects high school students who are underrepresented in STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics), and their teachers, with regional university research labs and provides them with the opportunity to work with researchers and graduate students on team-based, year-long network science research projects, culminating in a formal presentation at a network
The Go-To Guide for Engineering Curricula, Grades 6-8: Choosing and Using the Best Instructional Materials for Your Students
PublicationHow to engineer change in your middle school science classroom With the implementation of the Next Generation Science Standards, your students won’t just be scientists—they’ll be engineers. But that doesn’t mean you need to reinvent the wheel. Respected science educator Cary Sneider has done the groundwork for you, collecting a full range of time-tested curriculum materials to seamlessly weave engineering and technology concepts into your math and science lessons. In this volume, you’ll find descriptions of instructional materials specifically created for—and tested in—middle school science
Network Literacy: Essential Concepts and Core Ideas
PublicationNetwork science is a significant pathway into understanding many kinds of Big Data. Since its inceptions during the late 20th century it has been increasing its relevance to people's everyday life. Networks can help us to make sense of this increasingly complex world, making it a useful literacy for people living in the 21st century.Recent work involving interventions directly with middle and high school students and teachers in developing network science skills in informal and student research settings has demonstrated that network science can be a powerful and motivating approach to