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

这个探索性项目将研究科学，设计和先进技术在高中教育中的整合，通过一套创新的学习经验，在植物科学的背景下，使用增强和虚拟现实（AVR）技术。来自城市和农村社区的代表性不足和服务不足的学生将获得新颖的教育工具，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。在教师，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适用性的技能。作为学习经验的一部分，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，以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新知识体系。该项目由学生和教师创新技术体验（ITEST）计划资助，该计划支持建立对实践，计划元素，背景和过程的理解的项目，有助于增加学生对科学，技术，工程，和数学（STEM）和信息和通信技术（ICT）的职业。该项目的四个主要目标是（1）将艺术和设计融入STEM教育，（2）通过使用新颖的工具和方法，应用AVR技术推进植物科学教育，（3）激发服务不足和代表性不足的学生对STEM职业的兴趣，并为他们提供未来STEM职业的技能，（4）培养高中生的植物科学知识和欣赏能力。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个科学项目中。学生的项目不仅关注最终产品，还关注艺术和科学创作过程。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，培养批判性思维和解决问题的能力，支持创新概念，并允许学生连接到影响STEM职业道路的现实生活中。学生将与研究人员互动，并在研讨会上介绍自己的项目，这将提高学生在学校舒适区之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）年会，并展示他们的经验海报。这些活动让学生有机会扩阔对未来就业机会的看法，并建立未来导师网络。项目评估将包括调查学生对STEM职业的态度和兴趣，在他们参与项目之前，期间和之后。研究人员还将与高中学生一起测试和验证植物内容清单，以研究他们的植物内容知识增益。该项目制作的AVR植物科学3D模型将提供给地球仪的教育工作者。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。

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.