iDigFossils: Engaging K-12 Students in Integrated STEM via 3D Digitization, Printing and Exploration of Fossils

该项目将设计并测试一个以古生物学为学科重点的学生参与模型。古生物学，或对化石的科学研究，是一个横跨生物学和地质学的广泛的跨学科领域。目前的古生物学研究利用了先进技术和现代统计学提供的资源。该项目将设计、实施和研究一个以古生物学为重点、与下一代科学标准（NGSS）相一致的课程，为6-12年级的科学、技术、工程和数学（STEM）课程注入尖端的3d扫描和打印技术。真实的古生物学数据、基于模型的推理和社会科学问题解决将为6-12年级的STEM学科整合提供丰富的经验，并有助于培养学生对STEM的兴趣和认同。该项目将设计并实施3D技术增强课程，将古生物学作为一门真正整合的STEM科学注入K-12。该课程将使学生能够使用3d打印、计算建模和其他新技术，帮助他们培养21世纪的技能，并将他们引入STEM职业。该项目将引入用于化石解释的优化研究软件，并使用现有的开源统计环境创建计算建模应用程序。该项目将研究支架式综合STEM学习的有效条件，以及该项目对培养K-12学生对STEM及相关职业的兴趣和认同的影响。项目研究和资源将广泛分发给研究人员、学生、教师和非正式教育工作者。该项目由学生和教师创新技术体验（ITEST）项目资助，该项目支持建立对最佳实践、项目要素、背景和流程的理解，有助于吸引学生学习和培养对STEM、信息和通信技术（ICT）、计算机科学以及相关STEM内容和职业的兴趣。

This project will design and test a model for student engagement using paleontology as the disciplinary focus. Paleontology, or the scientific study of fossils, is a broad, interdisciplinary field that spans biology and geology. Current paleontological research harnesses the resources provided by advanced technologies and modern statistics. The project will design, implement, and study a paleontology-focused and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) aligned curriculum that infuses cutting-edge 3-D scanning and printing technologies in grades 6-12 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Authentic paleontological data, model-based reasoning, and socio-scientific problem solving will provide rich experiences integrating STEM disciplines in grades 6-12 and contribute to cultivating students' interest and identity in STEM. The project will design and implement a 3D technology-enhanced curriculum that infuses paleontology in K-12 as a truly integrated STEM science. The curriculum will enable students to use 3-D printing, computational modeling and other new technologies that will engage them in developing 21st century skills and introduce them to STEM careers. The project will introduce optimized research software for fossil interpretation and create apps for computational modeling using an existing, open source statistics environment. The project will research effective conditions for scaffolding integrated STEM learning and the impact of the project on cultivating K-12 student interest and identity in STEM and related careers. Project research and resources will be widely disseminated to researchers, students, teachers, and informal educators. This project is funded by the Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST) program that supports projects that build understandings of best practices, program elements, contexts and processes contributing to engaging students in learning and developing interest in STEM, information and communications technology (ICT), computer science, and related STEM content and careers.