This project takes a Civic Science approach to STEM, i.e., students engaging in science to promote the public good. Classes of students from minoritized backgrounds collaborate with community partners to identify, study, and act on environmental problems in their urban communities.

The project engages high school students in exploring science-based climate scenarios and co-creating an interactive digital narrative. Project research investigates outcomes related to the project goal to improve STEM career aspirations among Latinx teens.

Engineering design tasks allow students to apply science concepts to solve problems and understand the practical value of scientific knowledge. Yet, it can be challenging for science teachers to find ways to support students to clearly draw connections between the scientific ideas behind engineering problems and the ways in which engineering solutions interact with scientific phenomena. It is also challenging for teachers to make connections between science and engineering in culturally responsive ways.

We are developing an innovative suite of mobile-ready learning resources for informal educators to support youth and the public’s understanding of wifi and radio frequency communications from digital apps to a craft kits, summer radio camps, videos and activity guides in English and Spanish. These learning and teaching resources were informed by user evaluations, co-design and values mapping towards inclusive design.

The STEM Career Exploration Lab (CEL) program is conducting across the United States a series of summer camps for high school students with Blindness / Visual Impairment (B/VI) to stimulate their interest in STEM fields and STEM careers. We use astronomy and assistive technologies, including 3D printing and 3D printed tactile models, to bolster students' STEM skills.

An overview of our project in which we are working with with leaders of local communities comprised largely of former refugees to promote STEM aspirations among youth, grades 7-12. 

This poster describes a project to foster energy/climate-related STEM career knowledge and interest in diverse high school students in Minnesota through an engaging year-long experiential learning project that tests the effectiveness of near-peer mentors as STEM/energy education and career role models that enhance the STEM-relevant cognitive and social-emotional impacts of simulation- and project-based learning.