BPR: Increasing STEM Participation and Success Rates of Latino Youth Using Culturally Relevant Immersive Technologies

佳洁士资助的网络共享卓越中心是一个中心，专注于通过网络基础设施推进研究和教育，以支持跨学科的努力，作为该项目的支柱，利用与文化相关的沉浸式技术提高STEM的参与率和拉美裔青年的成功率。拟议工作的目标是研究利用与文化相关的沉浸式技术增强STEM整合学习模块的有效性，并确定其对拉丁裔中学生在STEM中的表现和学习STEM主题的动机的影响。随着国家对科学家和工程师的持续短缺，迫切需要多样化的学生进入并完成各级STEM教育。项目活动包括开发和交付整合的STEM模块，将当地和文化相关的材料与史密森学会的Mi Tiera-Mi Mundo互动角色扮演、探索性游戏和专业培训连接起来，以在传统的STEM环境中展示Mi-Tiera-Mi Mundo和STEM模块。该项目将采用纵向混合方法随机对照试验研究设计，以确定干预的哪些方面影响来自代表性不足群体的学生的差异参与和成功率。首先，它的目的是在综合STEM内容和活动的背景下，在拉丁裔学生中加强STEM的知识和培养他们的性格。其次，该项目将引入基于创新技术的真实世界情景模拟，让拉美裔学生参与解决与当地分水岭问题有关的STEM问题。这些策略也可适用于其他STEM领域和教师教育项目。原型活动可适应各种教师专业发展努力，拟议的实施和教学模拟技术将广泛用于课堂和外联环境。

The CREST-funded Cyber-ShARE Center of Excellence, a center focused on advancing research and education through cyberinfrastructures in support of interdisciplinary efforts, serves as the anchor for the project, Increasing STEM Participation and Success Rates of Latino Youth Using Culturally Relevant Immersive Technologies. The goal of the proposed work is to study the effectiveness of augmenting STEM-integrated learning modules with culturally relevant, immersive technologies and determine its impact on Latino middle school students' performance in STEM and motivation to study STEM topics. With the nation's continuing shortage of scientists and engineers, there is an urgent need for diverse students who enter and complete STEM education at all levels. The project activities include development and delivery of integrated STEM modules that connect locally and culturally relevant materials with the Smithsonian's Mi Tierra-Mi Mundo interactive role play exploratory game and professional training that scaffolds Mi-Tierra-Mi Mundo and STEM modules to present in traditional STEM settings. The project will use a longitudinal mixed methods randomized control trial research design to determine what aspects of the intervention affect the differential participation and success rates of students from underrepresented groups.The proposed project has two unique and important features. First, it aims to enhance knowledge and develop dispositions for STEM among Latino students in the context of integrated STEM content and activities. Second, the project will introduce innovative technology-based simulations of real-world situations that engage Latino students to address STEM issues related to local watershed problems. These strategies can be adapted for other STEM areas and teacher education programs. Prototype activities are adaptable to a variety of teacher professional development efforts, and the proposed technologies for implementing and teaching simulations will be widely available for use in the classroom and outreach settings.