<div dir="ltr"><b>1) NSF Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST):</b> The National Science Foundation has released a revised solicitation for its ITEST program (<a href="http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5467">http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5467</a>). The solicitation isn't online at the moment, but here's the program synopsis:<br>
<div dir="ltr"><div><br><div style="margin-left:40px">The ITEST program through research and model-building activities seeks
to build understandings of best practice factors, contexts and processes
contributing to K-12 students' motivation and participation in the
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) core domains
along with other STEM cognate domains (e.g., information and
communications technology (ICT), computing, computer sciences, data
analytics, among others) that inform education programs and workforce
domains. The ITEST program funds foundational and applied research
projects addressing the development, implementation, and dissemination
of innovative strategies, tools, and models for engaging students to be
aware of STEM and cognate careers, and to pursue formal school-based and
informal out-of-school educational experiences to prepare for such
careers. ITEST supports projects that: (1) increase students' awareness
of STEM and cognate careers; (2) motivate students to pursue the
appropriate education pathways for STEM and cognate careers; and/or (3)
provide students with technology-rich experiences that develop
disciplinary-based knowledge and practices, and non-cognitive skills
(e.g., critical thinking and communication skills) needed for entering
STEM workforce sectors. ITEST projects may adopt an interdisciplinary
focus on one or more STEM domains or focus on sub discipline(s) within a
domain. ITEST projects must involve students, and may also include
teachers. ITEST is especially interested in broadening participation of
student groups from traditionally underrepresented in STEM and cognate
intensive education and workforce domains. Strongly encouraged are
projects that actively engage business and industry to better ensure
K-12 experiences are likely to foster the skill-sets of emerging STEM
and cognate careers. ITEST supports two project types: <b><i>Strategies</i></b> and <b><i>SPrEaD </i></b><i>(Successful Project Expansion and Dissemination)</i>
projects. Strategies projects address the creation and implementation
of innovative technology-related interventions that support ITEST's
objectives.<i> SPrEaD</i> projects support the wider and broader
dissemination and examination of innovative interventions to generate
evidence and understanding regarding contextual factors that operate to
enhance, moderate, or constrain the desired results. All ITEST projects
include activities designed to inform judgments regarding the
feasibility of implementing strategies in typical delivery settings such
as classrooms and out-of-school settings.<br></div><br>Proposals are be due February 11, 2014 and November 6, 2014.<br><br></div><b>2) NSF REAL Broadening Participation webinars:</b> The NSF Research on Education and Learning (REAL) solicitation (<a href="http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=13667" target="_blank">http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=13667</a>) describes several areas of interest to the program, including Broadening Participation Research (BPR). Within BPR are two tracks:<br>
<ul><li><b>Research in Disabilities Education</b>.
The Research in Disabilities Education (RDE) track supports fundamental
and implementation research about learners (of all ages) with
disabilities in STEM. This track encourages efforts to understand and
address disability-based differences in STEM education and workforce
participation. Fundamental research projects typically address areas
such as stereotype threat, an individual's identity (e.g. STEM and
disability identity), underlying attention and physical barriers that
impact STEM learning, and the societal and organizational
characteristics that influence learning and educational pathways.
Implementation research projects typically address such areas as
inclusive educational practices, universally designed STEM curricula,
assistive technology, and supportive learning and/or educational
environments. Implementation projects are expected to be experimental
and/or quasi-experimental studies. Projects must employ evidence-based
educational exemplars, have a strong theoretical base, and be justified
by relevant educational, disability, and social science research.<br>
</li><li><b>Research on Gender in Science and Engineering</b>.
The Research on Gender in Science and Engineering (GSE) track supports
efforts to understand and address gender-based differences in STEM
education and workforce participation through education and
implementation research that will lead to a larger and more diverse
domestic STEM workforce. Typical projects will contribute to the
knowledge base addressing gender-related differences in learning and in
the educational experiences that affect student interest, performance,
and choice of careers; how pedagogical approaches and teaching styles,
curriculum, student services, and institutional culture contribute to
causing or closing gender gaps that persist in certain fields.</li></ul>NSF has scheduled two informational webinars about the RDE and GSE tracks:<br><ul><li>Friday, November 22, 2013 at 2:00pm (EST)</li><li>
Monday, December 2, 2013 at 2:00pm (EST)</li></ul>To register for the Webinars, send an e-mail to Nikki Godwin (<a href="mailto:ngodwin@nsf.gov">ngodwin@nsf.gov</a>) and additional information will be emailed to you.<br>
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<p style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-size:12px;line-height:18px;background:none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255,255,255)">
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<span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:18px;background:none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255,255,255);color:rgb(187,0,0);font-weight:bold">Christopher Andersen</span><br>Director<br><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:18px;background:none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255,255,255);color:rgb(187,0,0)">STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) Initiatives</span> <br>
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Looking for upcoming STEM outreach activities? Visit <a href="http://stemoutreach.osu.edu/" target="_blank">http://stemoutreach.osu.edu/</a></p><p style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-size:12px;line-height:18px;background:none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255,255,255)">
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