Physics and astronomy

QuEST: Quantum Education for Students and Teachers

Angela Kelly — Mon, 06 May 2024 01:39:57 +0000

QuEST: Quantum Education for Students and Teachers

Angela Kelly Sun, 05/05/2024 - 21:39

QuEST: Quantum Education for Students and Teachers

Pillar 1: Innovative Use of Technologies in Learning and Teaching

The disciplinary focus included the limitations of classical computing, classical and quantum physics principles (diffraction, polarization, wave-particle duality), the Mach-Zehnder interferometer, superposition, quantum thought experiments (Schrödinger’s cat and Wigner’s friend), entanglement and Bell’s inequality, quantum key distribution, and basic quantum computing skills. Students also spent time visiting the laboratory of a quantum experimentalist and learning about QIST academic and career pathways.

Pillar 2: Partnerships for Career and Workforce Preparation.

Quantum physics is not represented in a substantive way in most science curricula and many high school teachers do not have any background in quantum physics, let alone keeping track of academic/industrial developments of quantum technology. To maximize our impact, we focused on teacher education before hosting student activities at Stony Brook and New York Hall of Science. We plan on expanding our community outreach and workforce development efforts to generate excitement for the 2025 International Year of Quantum.

Pillar 3: Strategies for Equity in STEM Education

The broader impacts of this work relate to increased introductory quantum science and computing participation for students from diverse backgrounds who may not have equitable access due to restricted school resources, lack of science course offerings, and limited teacher knowledge about quantum principles and applications. Students and teachers participate in program activities, with 50% of participants recruited from high need schools.

Discipline(s)

Physics and astronomy

Target Gradespan(s)

High school (9-12)

Target Participant(s)

Youth / students

Educators

Project Setting(s)

Informal Education

Category

Developing and Testing Innovations (DTI)

Informing the Future with Reflections on Prior ITEST-like Experiences by Current STEM Professionals

Eric Hamilton — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 18:11:48 +0000

Informing the Future with Reflections on Prior ITEST-like Experiences by Current STEM Professionals

Eric Hamilton Thu, 04/25/2024 - 14:11

Informing the Future with Reflections on Prior ITEST-like Experiences by Current STEM Professionals

Pillar 1: Innovative Use of Technologies in Learning and Teaching

As a retrospective effort, this project employs a recently emerging tool called epistemic network analysis (ENA) to help build richer understandings of the reflections that YSP alums shared. This is an advanced methodological tool that current ITEST projects are encouraged to explore. Experiences of the alums heavily involved innovative technologies of the 1990s!

Pillar 2: Partnerships for Career and Workforce Preparation.

As a retrospective effort, this project explores how the many partnerships at the time – and there were many across major technology firms, scientific laboratories, and universities – helped shape an awareness by participants of opportunities for STEM career pathways. At the time, field trips proved the most common form of partnership. They were eye-opening and contributed to the holistic approach of the program nationally.

Pillar 3: Strategies for Equity in STEM Education

One aspect of this retrospective study involves documenting the many ways that faculty nationwide sought to insure and build equity. One principal strategy involved careful attention in recruiting in ways that actively sought to broaden participation in coming alongside STEM professionals, and actively promoted building a more inclusive STEM workforce. And, the holistic and asset-based approach of YSP PIs treated STEM fields as natural and accessible to middle and secondary students.

Discipline(s)

Computer and informational technology science

Engineering

Interdisciplinary

Life sciences

Mathematical sciences

Physics and astronomy

Target Gradespan(s)

Middle school (6-8)

High school (9-12)

Target Participant(s)

Youth / students

Educators

American Indian/Alaska Native participants

Black/African American participants

Hispanic/Latino participants

Project Setting(s)

Informal Education

Category

Exploring Theory and Design Principles (ETD)

Scaling, Expanding, and Iterating Innovations (SEI)

Synthesis

EAGER

Research Study

Textured Tactile 3D Prints of Astronomical Data for the Career Exploration Lab and Other Applications

Carol Christian — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 16:24:08 +0000

Textured Tactile 3D Prints of Astronomical Data for the Career Exploration Lab and Other Applications

Carol Christian Thu, 04/25/2024 - 12:24

Textured Tactile 3D Prints of Astronomical Data for the Career Exploration Lab and Other Applications

Description

Astronomy has been a fascinating subject for the public for centuries and can stimulate deep questions not only on our own origin but subtly the richness of science and mathematics. It also is a science that is associated with engineering and technology to probe the universe.Typically, astronomical data is translated into visual representations for analysis and general public communication. Unfortunately, this practice is problematic for individuals with blindness or visual impairment (B/VI). In response, we transformed astronomical research data and models into textured 3D prints for tactile exploration of imagery. These materials were thoroughly tested, step by step throughout development, over many years, utilizing standard usability testing commonly used in industry and elsewhere. We further pilot tested the 3D prints in a variety of forums, workshops, conferences, and STEM camps for students with B/VI.

These materials are used in the Career Exploration Lab, funded by ITEST, as well as other environments. The 3D prints are available through a custom website, with descriptions of the testing, print techniques, and documentation. These prints are also available through the NASA 3D website, under Contributions - via a search for either Christian or Madura. One of many outcomes of our projects is that 3D printing has been quite useful in showcasing scientific data (largely from Hubble Space Telescope and James Webb Telescope) to the general public for understanding and appreciation of science. Holding a galaxy, a star cluster, or a model of the Sun resonates well with even the most casual interest in astronomy.

Resources submitted by ITEST projects may be hosted on third-party sites or require a fee or membership for access. Permission to use these materials must be obtained from the publisher or the author listed on each resource.

Project Curricula Details

Topic(s)

Accessibility

Informal Learning and Afterschool

STEM Career Opportunities and Workforce Development

Youth Motivation and Interests in STEM

Website

3D Astronomy

Target Setting(s)

Middle school (6-8)

High school (9-12)

Other

Discipline(s)

Physics and astronomy

St. Elmo Brady STEM Academy

Jerrod Henderson — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 21:41:56 +0000

St. Elmo Brady STEM Academy

Jerrod Henderson Wed, 04/24/2024 - 17:41

St. Elmo Brady STEM Academy

Pillar 1: Innovative Use of Technologies in Learning and Teaching

Weekly, youth participate in hands-on engineering design activities that engage them with technology by building with the engineering design process as their framework. In addition to building innovative solutions to the weekly engineering design challenge, they also become ongoing users of standard tools used in STEM labs and industry (e.g., beakers, scales, lab notebooks). Recent activities have included windmill design, shoe design, and polymer exploration.

Pillar 2: Partnerships for Career and Workforce Preparation.

By partnering with local companies, we emphasize the possibilities of engineering careers. We include industry partners by (1) inviting them to volunteer during Saturday sessions, (2) inviting engineering professionals to serve as Scientist of the Week, and (3) highlighting the span of careers available at their companies (e.g., those that require certificates, two-year degrees, and bachelor's and advanced degrees). Participants get to interact with industry representatives and ask about their careers.

Pillar 3: Strategies for Equity in STEM Education

SEBA uses assets-based approaches and embeds equity throughout the program design. We are implemented in two of Houston’s most diverse areas, thus connecting us to families who are historically underrepresented and underserved in STEM Education. Mentors are from similar backgrounds as participants. Mentors are paid to support them if they have to work to pay for school and trained in culturally responsive pedagogy to support the formation of strong relationships with participants.

Discipline(s)

Chemistry

Engineering

Life sciences

Mathematical sciences

Physics and astronomy

Target Gradespan(s)

Elementary school (K-5)

Target Participant(s)

Youth / students

Parents / caregivers / families

American Indian/Alaska Native participants

Black/African American participants

Hispanic/Latino participants

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander participants

Project Setting(s)

Informal Education

Category

Developing and Testing Innovations (DTI)

SRMPmachine: Preparing High School Students for Careers in Machine Learning through Mentored Scientific Research

Mark Weckel — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 18:58:10 +0000

SRMPmachine: Preparing High School Students for Careers in Machine Learning through Mentored Scientific Research

Mark Weckel Wed, 04/24/2024 - 14:58

SRMPmachine: Preparing High School Students for Careers in Machine Learning through Mentored Scientific Research

Pillar 1: Innovative Use of Technologies in Learning and Teaching

During the Summer Institute, students conduct several mini scientific investigations while navigating the ML pipeline. Through plugged and unplugged techniques, students use four different ML methods: linear regression, principal component analysis, decision trees, and artificial neural networks. The culminating project involves using “Wallace,” a code-light professional platform used by biodiversity scientists, to run ML models to predict species distribution using locality data and climate variables.

Pillar 2: Partnerships for Career and Workforce Preparation.

SRMP is a STEM workforce development program that provides mentored-research experiences and scaffolded supports. SRMPmachine was co-developed by scientists, STEM educators, MIT AI experts, and SRMP alumni. Our alumni, all emerging computer science and IT professionals in academia and industry, were critical to the development of SRMPmachine. These young professionals captured both the spirit of what students need in their informal education experience and the skill sets that have propelled them in their early careers

Pillar 3: Strategies for Equity in STEM Education

AI requires broad participation to fulfill its potential and minimize the risk of harm, which means creating learning spaces that support a diversity of learners as valued members of the AI community. We employed the YESTEM Core Equitable Practices (CEP) of “Authority Sharing” & “Shifting Narratives” to guide the development of the Summer Institute. These CEPs position educators and youth as "co-learners, co-disruptors, and co-creators of a more just world" within and through STEM (Greenberg & Calabrese Barton, 2021; YE

Discipline(s)

Data Science

Emerging Tech (Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Computing, and Blockchain)

Interdisciplinary

Life sciences

Physics and astronomy

Target Gradespan(s)

High school (9-12)

Target Participant(s)

Youth / students

Project Setting(s)

Informal Education

Category

Developing and Testing Innovations (DTI)

SRMPmachine: Preparing High School Students for Careers in Machine Learning through Mentored Scientific Research

Mark Weckel — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 18:40:53 +0000

SRMPmachine: Preparing High School Students for Careers in Machine Learning through Mentored Scientific Research

Mark Weckel Wed, 04/24/2024 - 14:40

SRMPmachine: Preparing High School Students for Careers in Machine Learning through Mentored Scientific Research

Pillar 1: Innovative Use of Technologies in Learning and Teaching

Pillar 2: Partnerships for Career and Workforce Preparation.

Pillar 3: Strategies for Equity in STEM Education

Discipline(s)

Data Science

Emerging Tech (Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Computing, and Blockchain)

Interdisciplinary

Life sciences

Physics and astronomy

Target Gradespan(s)

High school (9-12)

Target Participant(s)

Youth / students

Project Setting(s)

Informal Education

Category

Developing and Testing Innovations (DTI)

Welcome to the World Smarts STEM Challenge!

Amaris Mohammad — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 13:17:14 +0000

Welcome to the World Smarts STEM Challenge!

Amaris Mohammad Wed, 04/24/2024 - 09:17

Welcome to the World Smarts STEM Challenge!

Pillar 1: Innovative Use of Technologies in Learning and Teaching

World Smarts provides students with an opportunity to utilize and engage with educational technologies that support communication, collaboration and simulate global workforce environments and scenarios. The official program tools include Canvas – Instructure, Pronto, Flipgrid, Zoom and Microsoft Teams. The program also offers and encourages students to use other school-approved tools for increased accessibility and usability considering each classroom setting and context. Educators are trained on how to use these tools.

Pillar 2: Partnerships for Career and Workforce Preparation.

The project engages school partners and STEM professionals to support students’ engagement throughout the exchange. Partnerships with schools aid the facilitation of student supports, e.g. community services hours for career development. STEM professionals serve as mentors, guest speakers, and consultants to inspire students’ STEM learning, provide technical advice, and offer insights on pursuing STEM/ICT careers. Students prepare and present at an expo where they practice public speaking to a diverse global audience.

Pillar 3: Strategies for Equity in STEM Education

A robust outreach plan and recruitment strategy engages educators and students from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds, including Black, Hispanic, economically disadvantaged and female students. Outreach to public schools includes showcasing diverse role models and collaborating with industry for real-world experiences. Educators engage in IREX-led training focused on implementation, inclusive facilitation methods, and fostering an environment that recognizes and respects diverse learning styles.

Discipline(s)

Chemistry

Computer and informational technology science

Data Science

Engineering

Environmental sciences

Geosciences

Interdisciplinary

Life sciences

Mathematical sciences

Physics and astronomy

Other

Target Gradespan(s)

Middle school (6-8)

High school (9-12)

Target Participant(s)

Youth / students

Educators

Girls (or women)

American Indian/Alaska Native participants

Black/African American participants

Hispanic/Latino participants

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander participants

English learners

Students eligible for free lunch or reduced-price lunch

Participants with disabilities

Other

Project Setting(s)

Formal Education

Informal Education

Other

Category

Developing and Testing Innovations (DTI)

Scale-Up

Youth-Based

Making Waves with Radio: Empowering Informal STEM Educators

Sherry Hsi — Tue, 23 Apr 2024 21:58:33 +0000

Making Waves with Radio: Empowering Informal STEM Educators

Sherry Hsi Tue, 04/23/2024 - 17:58

Making Waves with Radio: Empowering Informal STEM Educators

Pillar 1: Innovative Use of Technologies in Learning and Teaching

Hands-on activities include a training video and materials in Spanish. Two of the activities also use a mobile app to assist learners. This downloadable kit of hands-on activities help learners explore the phenomena, uses, and societal impact of radio technologies using everyday materials to engage in hands-on experimentation with radio waves. Youth use the BBC micro:bit and the Teknikio Bluebird to design a solution to a community-based problem. A mobile app story shares about radio communications during a hurricane.

Pillar 2: Partnerships for Career and Workforce Preparation.

To support informal STEM educators, we partner with science centers, museums, & community-based organizations: the Children’s Creativity Museum, Museum of Life and Science, Explora, Sciencenter, El Centro Hispano, El Futuro, and the Global Alliance for Community Science Workshops. A community of practice (CoP) serving Latiné families was also convened for professional learning: Arecibo Observatory, Brownsville Museum, Columbia Memorial Space Center, Corpus Christi Museum, Explora, and Children's Museum of Brownsville.

Pillar 3: Strategies for Equity in STEM Education

Our team has used the following strategies to support equity in design: Codesign with educators, youth and radio engineering experts to ensure inclusive and culturally responsive materials; Design for a range of modalities to demystify radio communications, and the systems and values involved; Support a CoP and in partnership with Latiné-serving organizations who work closely with youth and families; Leverage long-standing national dissemination networks to reach a diverse set of learners, educators, and communities.

Discipline(s)

Physics and astronomy

Target Gradespan(s)

Other

Target Participant(s)

Educators

Project Setting(s)

Informal Education

Category

Developing and Testing Innovations (DTI)

The Sky Belongs to Everyone

Mary Dussault — Tue, 23 Apr 2024 15:26:10 +0000

The Sky Belongs to Everyone

Mary Dussault Tue, 04/23/2024 - 11:26

The Sky Belongs to Everyone

Pillar 1: Innovative Use of Technologies in Learning and Teaching

The project is scaling up a program & online learning platform for youth ages 11-14 that features customized access to robotic telescopes, support for learner-driven engagement with scientific and computational analysis tools and practices via image processing, and virtual interactions with digital STEM mentors

Pillar 2: Partnerships for Career and Workforce Preparation.

YouthAstroNet’s digital mentors participate in live interactions and provide exposure to role models. Our strategy capitalizes on the benefits of both real time and asynchronous engagement opportunities, limiting the time burden on STEM professionals. Students in YouthAstroNet are exposed to a plurality of role models through the STEM “Role Model Profiles,” in which diverse STEM professionals write about their experiences and pathway into science, as well as share anecdotes of moments of struggle in their work.

Pillar 3: Strategies for Equity in STEM Education

Three program principles leverage the cultural capital and everyday knowledge of students: 1)The sky belongs to everyone. The curiosity and creativity inspired by cosmic questions are universal experiences. 2)Listen to student ideas. Activities provide many opportunities to draw on students’ own ideas, questions, and cultural identities. 3)There are many ways to be a science person. YouthAstroNet expands student ideas about science careers and how they can participate in science and still be fully the person they are!

Discipline(s)

Physics and astronomy

Target Gradespan(s)

Middle school (6-8)

Target Participant(s)

Youth / students

Educators

Girls (or women)

American Indian/Alaska Native participants

Black/African American participants

Hispanic/Latino participants

Students eligible for free lunch or reduced-price lunch

Project Setting(s)

Formal Education

Informal Education

Category

Scaling, Expanding, and Iterating Innovations (SEI)

3D Printing and Astronomy for High School Students with Blindness/Visual Impairments and their Educators

Thomas Madura — Mon, 15 Apr 2024 22:20:46 +0000

3D Printing and Astronomy for High School Students with Blindness/Visual Impairments and their Educators

Thomas Madura Mon, 04/15/2024 - 18:20

3D Printing and Astronomy for High School Students with Blindness/Visual Impairments and their Educators

Pillar 1: Innovative Use of Technologies in Learning and Teaching

Our project centerpiece is the 3D printer build, where high school students with B/VI assemble and use desktop 3D printers. Our STEM CEL lessons focus on spatial thinking and employ tactile 3D printed models, other tactile materials, sound and kinesthetic activities to teach astronomy and STEM. The backbone of our program is engagement with Teachers of the Visually Impaired and High School STEM teachers via Educator Partner Institutes, where we work together to address barriers to success in STEM of students with B/VI.

Pillar 2: Partnerships for Career and Workforce Preparation.

We introduce high school students with B/VI to professional role models with B/VI who have successful STEM careers. We also incorporate field trips to local businesses and universities that afford insights into possible STEM careers.

Pillar 3: Strategies for Equity in STEM Education

Students with B/VI often have other disabilities that also need to be accommodated when teaching STEM. Students with B/VI also often do not have the same life experiences and background knowledge as their sighted peers. There is a dearth of resources in STEM for students with B/VI, so most STEM materials must be developed from scratch and a wide range of materials is needed, e.g. tactile models (2D & 3D), braille, large print, audio, etc. 3D printed models can work, but often not by themselves.

Discipline(s)

Engineering

Physics and astronomy

Other

Target Gradespan(s)

High school (9-12)

Post-secondary

Target Participant(s)

Youth / students

Educators

Participants with disabilities

Project Setting(s)

Informal Education

Category

Developing and Testing Innovations (DTI)

Research Study

Physics and astronomy

QuEST: Quantum Education for Students and Teachers

QuEST: Quantum Education for Students and Teachers

QuEST: Quantum Education for Students and Teachers

Pillar 1: Innovative Use of Technologies in Learning and Teaching

Pillar 2: Partnerships for Career and Workforce Preparation.

Pillar 3: Strategies for Equity in STEM Education

QuEST: Quantum Education for Students and Teachers

Informing the Future with Reflections on Prior ITEST-like Experiences by Current STEM Professionals

Informing the Future with Reflections on Prior ITEST-like Experiences by Current STEM Professionals

Informing the Future with Reflections on Prior ITEST-like Experiences by Current STEM Professionals

Pillar 1: Innovative Use of Technologies in Learning and Teaching

Pillar 2: Partnerships for Career and Workforce Preparation.

Pillar 3: Strategies for Equity in STEM Education

Peering a generation into the future: NSF's Young Scholars Program and the nation’s STEM workforce

Textured Tactile 3D Prints of Astronomical Data for the Career Exploration Lab and Other Applications

Textured Tactile 3D Prints of Astronomical Data for the Career Exploration Lab and Other Applications

Textured Tactile 3D Prints of Astronomical Data for the Career Exploration Lab and Other Applications

Description

Project Curricula Details

St. Elmo Brady STEM Academy

St. Elmo Brady STEM Academy

St. Elmo Brady STEM Academy

Pillar 1: Innovative Use of Technologies in Learning and Teaching

Pillar 2: Partnerships for Career and Workforce Preparation.

Pillar 3: Strategies for Equity in STEM Education

Enhancing Underrepresented Student Engagement in STEM through Mentoring and Family Involvement

SRMPmachine: Preparing High School Students for Careers in Machine Learning through Mentored Scientific Research

SRMPmachine: Preparing High School Students for Careers in Machine Learning through Mentored Scientific Research

SRMPmachine: Preparing High School Students for Careers in Machine Learning through Mentored Scientific Research

Pillar 1: Innovative Use of Technologies in Learning and Teaching

Pillar 2: Partnerships for Career and Workforce Preparation.

Pillar 3: Strategies for Equity in STEM Education

Preparing High School Students for Careers in Machine Learning through Mentored Scientific Research

SRMPmachine: Preparing High School Students for Careers in Machine Learning through Mentored Scientific Research

SRMPmachine: Preparing High School Students for Careers in Machine Learning through Mentored Scientific Research

SRMPmachine: Preparing High School Students for Careers in Machine Learning through Mentored Scientific Research

Pillar 1: Innovative Use of Technologies in Learning and Teaching

Pillar 2: Partnerships for Career and Workforce Preparation.

Pillar 3: Strategies for Equity in STEM Education

Preparing High School Students for Careers in Machine Learning through Mentored Scientific Research

Welcome to the World Smarts STEM Challenge!

Welcome to the World Smarts STEM Challenge!

Welcome to the World Smarts STEM Challenge!

Pillar 1: Innovative Use of Technologies in Learning and Teaching

Pillar 2: Partnerships for Career and Workforce Preparation.

Pillar 3: Strategies for Equity in STEM Education

Exploring Key Predictors of STEM/ICT Career-related Outcomes Using the World Smarts STEM Challenge Model that Incorporates Global Engagement and Mentorship

Making Waves with Radio: Empowering Informal STEM Educators

Making Waves with Radio: Empowering Informal STEM Educators

Making Waves with Radio: Empowering Informal STEM Educators

Pillar 1: Innovative Use of Technologies in Learning and Teaching

Pillar 2: Partnerships for Career and Workforce Preparation.

Pillar 3: Strategies for Equity in STEM Education

Empowering Informal Educators to Prepare Future Generations in Wireless Radio Communications with Mobile Resources

The Sky Belongs to Everyone

The Sky Belongs to Everyone

The Sky Belongs to Everyone

Pillar 1: Innovative Use of Technologies in Learning and Teaching

Pillar 2: Partnerships for Career and Workforce Preparation.

Pillar 3: Strategies for Equity in STEM Education

YouthAstroNet: Research on the scale-up of innovative technology experiences in astronomy and science imaging

3D Printing and Astronomy for High School Students with Blindness/Visual Impairments and their Educators

3D Printing and Astronomy for High School Students with Blindness/Visual Impairments and their Educators

3D Printing and Astronomy for High School Students with Blindness/Visual Impairments and their Educators

Pillar 1: Innovative Use of Technologies in Learning and Teaching

Pillar 2: Partnerships for Career and Workforce Preparation.

Pillar 3: Strategies for Equity in STEM Education

Career Exploration Lab: 3D Printing and STEM Engagement for High School Students with Visual Impairments and their Educators