I-Corps L: Interactive Stem Cell Demonstration Activity

通过美国国家科学基金会创新团队学习计划(i-Corps L)，该项目将开发出增加互动活动的规模和影响的方法，以帮助高中生和普通公众了解干细胞生物学的基本原理。该项目侧重于干细胞，是一项互动活动和演示，旨在教育公众有关干细胞生物学和干细胞研究的关键原理。随着干细胞研究的进展，迫切需要在下一代科学家和普通公众中建立对干细胞的坚实的基础理解。目前，课堂上缺乏互动的活动和演示来让学生参与到这个主题中来。大多数材料仅限于静态演示文稿或非交互式视频。这种干细胞活动的独特之处在于，学生在参与互动活动的同时开始理解关键概念。样机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。参与的学生在整个互动演示过程中都参与其中，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以及干细胞研究面临的挑战的理解。这个i-Corps for Learning项目将开发一些方法，使这项引人入胜的活动能够被全国各地的其他教育工作者轻松实施。通过这项活动和设备教授的基本生物学原理包括自我更新、多能性和差异化。此外，学生通过使用可用的工具来引导他们的多能干细胞沿着所需的路径前进，从而了解生长因子和抑制剂。该设备目前有两种不同的尺寸可供选择。一个桌面大小的单元可供教师在课堂环境中使用。一个更大的板式版本为STEM外展志愿者和STEM倡导者提供了一个工具，供他们在参与STEM外展活动时使用。通过i-Corps L，将扩大在公立学校系统和STEM外联组织中的实施，目标是以可持续的方式实现更广泛的影响。

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.