[STEM-funding] NSF ITEST; NSF REAL BPR webinars

[Christopher Andersen]

*1) NSF Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers
(ITEST):* The National Science Foundation has released a revised
solicitation for its ITEST program (
http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5467). The solicitation
isn't online at the moment, but here's the program synopsis:

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: *Strategies* and *SPrEaD
**(Successful Project Expansion and Dissemination)* projects. Strategies
projects address the creation and implementation of innovative
technology-related interventions that support ITEST's objectives.*
SPrEaD*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.

Proposals are be due February 11, 2014 and November 6, 2014.

*2) NSF REAL Broadening Participation webinars:* The NSF Research on
Education and Learning (REAL) solicitation (
http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=13667) describes several
areas of interest to the program, including Broadening Participation
Research (BPR). Within BPR are two tracks:

   - *Research in Disabilities Education*. 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.
   - *Research on Gender in Science and Engineering*. 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.

NSF has scheduled two informational webinars about the RDE and GSE tracks:

   - Friday, November 22, 2013 at 2:00pm (EST)
   - Monday, December 2, 2013 at 2:00pm (EST)

To register for the Webinars, send an e-mail to Nikki Godwin (
ngodwin at nsf.gov) and additional information will be emailed to you.


 [image: The Ohio State University]
Christopher Andersen
Director
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) Initiatives
186 University Hall, 230 North Oval Mall, Columbus, OH 43210-1335 USA
andersen.18 at osu.edu
Looking for upcoming STEM outreach activities? Visit
http://stemoutreach.osu.edu/

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