I-Corps L: Interactive Stem Cell Demonstration Activity

I-Corps L：互动干细胞演示活动

• 批准号: 1547768
• 负责人: Robert Nerem
• 金额: $ 5万
• 依托单位: Georgia Tech Research Corporation
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2015
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2015-08-15 至 2016-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1547768&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Corps; Interactive; Stem; Cell; Demonstration

Through the NSF Innovation Corps for Learning Program (I-Corps L), this project will develop ways to increase the scale and impact of interactive activity to help high school students and the general public understand the foundational principles of stem cell biology. The project focusing on stem cells is an interactive activity and demonstration developed to educate the public about key principles of stem cell biology and stem cell research. As stem cell research advances, there is a critical need to develop a solid foundational understanding of stem cells in both the next generation of scientists and the general public. Currently, there is a lack of interactive engaging activities and demonstrations available for use in the classroom to engage students on the topic. Most materials are limited to static presentations or non-interactive videos. This stem cell activity is unique in that the students begin to understand key concepts while engaging in an interactive activity. A prototype has been tested in high school biology classrooms and science festivals, with very positive results. Students involved are engaged throughout the interactive demonstration, rather than merely receiving information passively. The activity improves students' understanding of what stem cells are and the challenges of stem cell research. This I-Corps for Learning project will develop approaches to enable this engaging activity to be easily implemented by other educators throughout the country.The basic biological principles taught though this activity and apparatus include self-renewal, pluripotency, and differentiation. Additionally, students learn about growth factors and inhibitors through the use of the available tools to guide their pluripotent stem cell down the desired path. The equipment is currently available in two different sizes. A table-top sized unit is available for teachers to use in a classroom setting. A larger board version provides a tool for STEM outreach volunteers and STEM advocates to use when participating in STEM outreach events. Through I-Corps L, implementation in public school systems and STEM outreach organizations will be expanded with the goal of achieving broader impact in a sustainable manner.

通过NSF创新团队学习计划（I-Corps L），该项目将开发增加互动活动的规模和影响的方法，以帮助高中生和公众了解干细胞生物学的基本原理。 该项目的重点是干细胞是一个互动的活动和示范开发，以教育公众有关干细胞生物学和干细胞研究的关键原则。随着干细胞研究的进展，迫切需要在下一代科学家和公众中建立对干细胞的坚实基础的理解。目前，缺乏可用于课堂上的互动参与活动和演示，以吸引学生对该主题的关注。大多数材料仅限于静态演示或非交互式视频。这种干细胞活动的独特之处在于，学生开始理解关键概念，同时参与互动活动。一个原型已经在高中生物教室和科学节上进行了测试，取得了非常积极的结果。参与的学生参与整个互动演示，而不仅仅是被动地接受信息。 该活动提高了学生对干细胞是什么和干细胞研究的挑战的理解。这一I-Corps学习项目将制定方法，使全国各地的其他教育工作者能够轻松实施这一引人入胜的活动，通过这一活动和装置教授的基本生物学原理包括自我更新、多能性和分化。此外，学生还可以通过使用现有的工具来了解生长因子和抑制剂，以引导他们的多能干细胞沿着所需的路径发展。该设备目前有两种不同的尺寸。一个桌面大小的单元可供教师在教室环境中使用。一个更大的董事会版本提供了一个工具，为干外展志愿者和干倡导者使用时，参加干外展活动。通过I-Corps L，公立学校系统和STEM外联组织的实施将得到扩大，目标是以可持续的方式实现更广泛的影响。