Dissemination Strategies 2.0
HighlightITEST project proposals are required to include a communication strategy for disseminating their findings. The National Science Foundation places a particular emphasis on these communications reaching broader audiences including scholars, practitioners, policymakers and the public.As the ITEST Resource Center, STELAR is charged with synthesizing and disseminating projects’ findings nationally, in order to inform and influence a national community
Cyberlearning
HighlightCyberlearning is about designing new kinds of applications and technology rich experiences, learning how to use them well to foster and assess learning, making the experiences work for particular disciplines and populations, and putting them in place in the world in ways that make a difference. The cyberlearning researchers come from a variety of disciplines and are working together to design and develop innovative learning technologies that
Research in ITEST
HighlightAll ITEST projects are expected to produce empirical findings and/or research tools that contribute to knowledge about which models and interventions with K-12 students and teachers are most likely to increase capacity in the STEM workforce of the future.
Mentoring 2015
HighlightA look at mentoring projects and resources from 2015.
Computer Science Education
HighlightThe Hour of Code is upon us! This national campaign is designed to encourage students around the world to try their hand at computer programming. Below are selected computer science-focused projects, resources and publications that provide a rich history of what the ITEST program has achieved in this area.
Working with Diverse Populations
HighlightThis month, we highlight resources that offer guidance in recruiting and retaining diverse participants in STEM programming. Three webinars -- Strategies for Increasing Diversity in STEM Learning Environments (2014), Research and Strategies for Engaging African American and Latino Families in Informal STEM Education (2012), and Engaging Diverse Learners in STEM Education (2008) -- highlight specific strategies, successes, and challenges related
ITEST Proposal Development: Tools and Resources
HighlightThe deadline for submitting ITEST proposals to NSF is coming up – November 6, 2014. Below we feature some resources and links that might be helpful to you as you prepare your proposal.NSF program officers regularly provide information and tips about preparing successful proposals via webinars sponsored by STELAR; links to the most recent ITEST Solicitation webinars are included below. If you are looking for partners, whether evaluators
Evaluation in the Context of ITEST Projects
HighlightA key component of the technical support offered by STELAR (and by the LRC from 2003-2012) has been in helping projects to develop rigorous and relevant project evaluations that can provide formative and summative feedback to project leaders to improve their project and determine impact. The resources collected here include a guide on evaluation, targeted to project directors, that helps build common understanding between project implementers and
Professional Development in ITEST
HighlightThis STELAR Monthly Highlight showcases existing resources on the STELAR website focused on professional development. ITEST projects work in both informal and formal education, and in both settings a critical component of that work is engaging adults, whether teachers or informal educators, in the content and pedagogy of each ITEST project. ITEST projects have worked with more than 8,000 teachers across the country and provided them with
Youth Motivation
HighlightThe STELAR Monthly Highlights showcase existing resources on the STELAR website around a particular theme. This month we are focusing on the theme of Youth Motivation. Since its inception, the ITEST program has funded projects developing strategies, tools, and models focused on increasing students' awareness of STEM and STEM careers and motivating students to pursue the appropriate education pathways for those fields. ITEST projects often have a