Planning: Building a Digital Twin-Based Virtual Engineering Laboratory for Students with Disabilities

在改善本科STEM教育：西班牙裔服务机构（HSI计划）的支持下，该规划项目旨在开发一个沉浸式虚拟工程实验室，以满足残疾学生的需求，在包容性框架内为他们提供变革性的学习体验。在STEM教育中，工程侧重于设计，解决问题和施工。为学生准备工程角色需要理论指导和实践探索之间的平衡。然而，传统的工程实验室经常忽视残疾学生的特殊需求，限制了他们的积极参与和学习成果。考虑到美国有大量残疾学生，这一挑战尤其明显，他们在STEM教育中面临的明显障碍，以及佛罗里达国际大学（FIU）中西班牙裔/拉丁裔学生和残疾学生的显著存在。为了应对这一挑战，研究团队将与残疾资源中心，教学促进中心以及FIU的多样性和学生成功中心合作，开发一个沉浸式虚拟工程环境，以满足残疾学生的需求，为他们提供包容性框架内的变革性学习体验。通过结合数字孪生模型和延展实境（XR）技术，该研究旨在弥合当前教学法与学生需求之间的差距，最终提高残疾学生的教育可及性和公平性。该项目旨在通过创造一个包容和沉浸式的学习环境，克服残疾学生面临的共同障碍。这种创新的技术融合有可能显著提升残疾学生的学习体验和成果，使不同背景和学习需求的学生能够积极有效地参与STEM教育。该项目致力于提供针对残疾学生需求的可操作见解和解决方案，旨在丰富他们的学术经验，促进他们在STEM教育中的成功。通过进行调查，民族志研究和访谈，研究团队将深入研究残疾学生在STEM教育经历中的独特需求和特点。利用数字孪生模型与XR技术相结合，创建一个包容性的虚拟工程实验室，将重新定义传统的学习方法，为学生的参与开辟新的途径。这种技术驱动的方法有望改变STEM教育的格局，使具有不同学习需求的学生能够积极有效地参与工程课程。最终目标是倡导包容性，提高教育机会，并确保残疾学生的学业成绩。HSI计划旨在加强本科STEM教育，并建立HSI的能力。HSI计划支持的项目也将产生关于如何实现这些目标的新知识。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

With support from the Improving Undergraduate STEM Education: Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI Program), this planning project aims to develop an immersive virtual engineering laboratory that caters to the needs of students with disabilities, providing them with a transformative learning experience within an inclusive framework. In STEM education, engineering focuses on design, problem-solving, and construction. Preparing students for engineering roles necessitates a balance between theoretical instruction and practical exploration. However, traditional engineering laboratories frequently overlook the specific needs of students with disabilities, limiting their active engagement and learning outcomes. This challenge is especially evident given the significant number of students with disabilities in the U.S., the distinct barriers they face in STEM education, and the notable presence of both Hispanic/Latinx students and those with disabilities at Florida International University (FIU). To address this challenge, the research team will collaborate with the Disability Resource Center, the Center for the Advancement of Teaching, and the Center for Diversity and Student Success at FIU to develop an immersive virtual engineering environment that caters to the needs of students with disabilities, providing them with a transformative learning experience within an inclusive framework. By incorporating digital twin models and extended reality (XR) technologies, the study aims to bridge the gap between current teaching pedagogy and student needs, ultimately enhancing educational accessibility and equity for students with disabilities. This project aims to overcome the common barriers faced by students with disabilities by creating an inclusive and immersive learning environment. This innovative fusion of technology holds the potential to significantly enhance the learning experience and outcomes of students with disabilities, enabling students with diverse backgrounds and learning needs to participate in their STEM education actively and effectively.This project strives to provide actionable insights and solutions tailored to the needs of students with disabilities, aiming to enrich their academic experiences and boost their success in STEM education. By conducting surveys, ethnographic research, and interviews, the research team will delve into the unique needs and characteristics of students with disabilities in their STEM education experience. The creation of an inclusive virtual engineering laboratory, utilizing digital twin models combined with XR technologies, will redefine traditional learning methods, opening up novel avenues for student engagement. This technology-driven approach promises to transform the landscape of STEM education, empowering students with diverse learning needs to engage themselves actively and effectively in their engineering courses. The end goal is to champion inclusivity, elevate educational opportunities, and ensure academic achievements for students with disabilities. The HSI Program aims to enhance undergraduate STEM education and build capacity at HSIs. Projects supported by the HSI Program will also generate new knowledge on how to achieve these aims.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.