SBIR Phase II: Interactive Podcast Platform

这个第二阶段项目的更广泛的影响/商业潜力是开发一个商业上可行的教育技术平台，通过使用高度吸引人的音频播客、基于游戏的学习和符合下一代科学标准(NGSS)的动手科学、技术、工程和数学(STEM)活动，将科学内容与科学实践相结合，促进小学生的科学思维。这是技术的商业价值，使学生能够访问STEM，同时帮助教师和学校管理人员满足NGSS。此外，还有对可评估的网络学习技术和播客的需求，这些技术和播客允许教师从讲课转向促进课程。当学校实施新标准时，教育技术解决方案的采用率最高；与NGSS一致的数字产品使用引人注目的音频内容，有助于促进课程满足NGSS。因此，这款产品有机会在市场上取得重大的商业成功。这一小型企业创新研究(SBIR)第二阶段项目将改善科学和STEM教育，并随后增加在其发展的关键时刻精通科学实践的学生人数。预计2020年就业岗位增长将增加10%-23%。然而，只有38%的美国四年级学生精通科学，只有23%的小学教师认为已经为培养学生对科学概念的理解做好了充分的准备。该项目的研究目标克服了技术和商业化障碍，回答了第一阶段发现的关键问题，特别是关于规模、有效性、参与度和学习成果的问题。该项目将采用定性研究设计，并在美国10多个公共小学教室(n=108)进行实地测试，以便反复收集数据，以提高产品的可用性、可行性、参与度和有效性。由此产生的技术将创新地使用人工智能(AI)驱动的适应性游戏学习、技术增强的制作工具和互动音频内容，以吸引小学生进行科学和创新思维。该技术还将帮助教师实现NGSS目标，并满足市场对科学和STEM教育的及时需求。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。

The broader impact/commercial potential of this Phase II project is to develop a commercially viable educational technology platform that advances scientific thinking for elementary school students by integrating scientific content with scientific practices using highly engaging audio podcasts, game-based learning, and hands-on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) activities that align with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). This is commercial value in technologies that make STEM accessible to students while helping teachers and school administrators meet NGSS. In addition, there is a demand for assessable cyberlearning technologies and podcasts that allow teachers to shift away from lecturing toward facilitating lessons. Educational technology solutions have the highest rate of adoption when schools implement new standards; NGSS-aligned digital products that use compelling audio content help facilitate lessons meeting the NGSS. Therefore, there is an opportunity for this product to have significant commercial success when it comes to market. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will improve science and STEM education and subsequently increase the number of students proficient in scientific practices at a critical time in their development. STEM job growth is projected to increase 10-23 percent in 2020. Yet, only 38 percent of U.S. fourth-graders are proficient in science and only 23 percent of elementary school teachers feel very well prepared to develop students’ conceptual understanding of science ideas. The research objectives for this project overcome technical and commercialization hurdles and answer key questions that were uncovered during Phase I, specifically questions regarding scale, effectiveness, engagement and learning outcomes. The project will employ a qualitative research design with field testing in over ten U.S. public elementary classrooms (n=108) in order to iteratively collect data that advances the product’s usability, feasibility, engagement and efficacy. The resulting technology will innovatively employ artificial intelligence (AI)-powered adaptive game-based learning, technology-enhanced maker tools, and interactive audio content to engage elementary students in scientific and innovative thinking. The technology will also help teachers meet NGSS goals and address a timely market need for science and STEM education.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.