3D Plants: Students Build Augmented and Virtual Reality Plant Models to Understand the Role of Design in STEM

这一探索性项目将在植物科学的背景下，利用增强和虚拟现实(AVR)技术，通过一系列创新的学习体验，研究高中教育中科学、设计和先进技术的整合。来自城市和农村社区的代表不足和服务不足的学生将有机会获得新的教育工具，同时学习如何在小型协作团队中创建植物不同部分的3D模型。在讲师、导师和科学家的支持下，学生将获得AVR技术、3D设计和植物科学的使用和应用技能。作为学习体验的一部分，学生还将接触到植物科学研究的过程。研究人员将让学生通过AVR体验了解植物科学，了解他们自己生活和社区中的日常植物。该项目将有助于形成关于创新技术教学工具和最佳做法的知识体系。该项目由学生和教师创新技术体验计划(ITEST)资助，该计划支持建立对实践、计划要素、背景和过程的理解的项目，这些项目有助于提高学生对科学、技术、工程和数学(STEM)以及信息和通信技术(ICT)职业的知识和兴趣。该项目的四个主要目标是：(1)将艺术和设计融入STEM教育；(2)通过使用新的工具和方法，应用AVR技术来促进植物科学教育；(3)激发未得到充分服务和代表性的学生对STEM职业的兴趣，并为他们提供未来STEM职业生涯所需的技能(4)培养高中生对植物科学的认识和欣赏。研究人员将组成对STEM或艺术感兴趣的学习者团队，共同合作，将设计和技术整合到同一科学项目中。学生的项目不仅关注最终产品，还关注艺术性和科学性的创作过程。项目团队将研究这种创新干预是否以及如何激发创造性学习，发展批判性思维和解决问题的技能，支持创新概念，并允许学生与影响STEM职业道路的现实情况建立联系。学生们将与研究人员互动，并在研讨会上展示他们自己的项目，该研讨会将提升学生在学校舒适区以外为公众准备演讲的专业技能。他们还将有机会参加NSTA(国家科学教师协会)年度会议，并展示他们的经验海报。这些活动为拓宽学生对未来职业机会的视野和建立未来导师网络提供了机会。项目评估将包括学生在参与项目之前、期间和之后对STEM职业的态度和兴趣的调查。研究人员还将与高中生一起测试和验证植物学内容清单，以研究他们获得的植物内容知识。该项目制作的AVR植物科学3D模型将向全球的教育工作者提供。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This exploratory project will study the integration of science, design and advanced technology in high school education through a set of innovative learning experiences in the context of plant science using augmented and virtual reality (AVR) technologies. Underrepresented and underserved students from both urban and rural communities will have access to novel educational tools while learning how to create 3D models of different parts of plants in small collaborative teams. With the support of instructors, mentors and scientists, students will acquire skills in the use and applicability of AVR technology, 3D design and plant science. As part of the learning experience, students will also be exposed to the process of plant science research. Researchers will engage students to learn about plant science through AVR experiences to understand everyday plants in their own lives and communities. The project will contribute to the emerging body of knowledge on innovative technological teaching tools and best practices. This project is funded by the Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST) program, which supports projects that build understandings of practices, program elements, contexts and processes contributing to increasing students' knowledge and interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and information and communication technology (ICT) careers.The four major objectives of this project are to (1) integrate art and design into STEM education, (2) apply AVR technology to advance plant science education through the use of novel tools and methodologies, (3) inspire interest in STEM careers among underserved and underrepresented students and provide them with skills for a future STEM career, and (4) foster knowledge and appreciation of plant science among high school students. Researchers will form teams of learners who are interested in either STEM or art to work together collaboratively in integrating design and technology within the same science project. Students’ projects are focused not only on the final products but also on the artistic and scientific creative process. The project team will examine whether and how this innovative intervention inspires creative learning, develops critical thinking and problem-solving skills, supports concepts of innovation, and allows students to connect to real-life situations impacting STEM career paths. Students will interact with researchers and present their own projects at a symposium that will horn student’s professional skills at preparing presentations for the public outside the comfort zone of their schools. They will also have the opportunity to attend the NSTA (National Science Teachers Association) annual conference and present posters on their experiences. These serve as opportunities to broaden students’ view of future career opportunities and to establish a network of future mentors. Project assessment will include surveys of student attitudes towards and interests in STEM careers before, during, and after their participation in the project. Researchers will also test and validate a botanical content inventory with high school students to study their plant content knowledge gains. The AVR plant science 3D models produced by the project will be made available for educators around the globe.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.