NSF Org:	DRL Division of Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings (DRL)
Recipient:	TWIN CITIES PUBLIC TELEVISION INC
Initial Amendment Date:	November 20, 2014
Latest Amendment Date:	November 20, 2014
Award Number:	1451321
Award Instrument:	Standard Grant
Program Manager:	Ellen McCallie emccalli@nsf.gov  (703)292-5115 DRL  Division of Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings (DRL) EDU  Directorate for STEM Education
Start Date:	December 1, 2014
End Date:	May 31, 2016 (Estimated)
Total Intended Award Amount:	$114,979.00
Total Awarded Amount to Date:	$114,979.00
Funds Obligated to Date:	FY 2015 = $114,979.00
History of Investigator:	Richard Hudson (Principal Investigator) rhudson@tpt.org Carlton Reeve (Co-Principal Investigator) Sean Duncan (Co-Principal Investigator)
Recipient Sponsored Research Office:	Twin Cities Public Television 172 4TH ST E SAINT PAUL MN  US  55101-1492 (651)229-1347
Sponsor Congressional District:	04
Primary Place of Performance:	Twin Cities Public Television 172 East Fourth Street Saint Paul MN  US  55101-1492
Primary Place of Performance Congressional District:	04
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI):	PWSSQNG9W2C7
Parent UEI:	PWSSQNG9W2C7
NSF Program(s):	AISL
Primary Program Source:	04001516DB NSF Education & Human Resource
Program Reference Code(s):
Program Element Code(s):	725900
Award Agency Code:	4900
Fund Agency Code:	4900
Assistance Listing Number(s):	47.076

ABSTRACT

Researchers and practitioners in the US and the UK, organized by Twin Cities Public Television in collaboration with co-PIs from Indiana University and the University of Bradford in the UK, will develop a research agenda focused on understanding how participation by youth in various online environments, called "affinity spaces," can promote and enable new approaches to informal STEM learning. Affinity spaces provide opportunities for youth to develop deep interest and engagement in specific topics as well as to interact in groups with others who share common interests. By focusing on affinity spaces, this project will contribute to the collective understanding of how digital media supports STEM learning. Of particular interest is the potential of these spaces to offer multiple interest-driven trajectories, opportunities to learn with others, and paths toward becoming authentic participants in the discussions. Specifically, the collaborators will: (1) produce a literature review on affinity spaces and informal science learning; (2) organize and convene a two-day workshop to review and refine primary research questions; and (3) produce a white paper summarizing outcomes.

Affinity spaces have the ability to connect millions of learners. Developing a research agenda to learn how these spaces can involve youth in experiences across the entire spectrum of STEM disciplines promises to reveal new ways to enhance and enrich the entire ecosystem of informal science learning. In addition, the project will enhance the international research and education infrastructure by facilitating collaborations among researchers in the U.S. and the UK who work at the frontiers of social media and learning. This project is funded as part of NSF's Advancing Informal STEM Learning program, Science Learning+ (SL+). SL+ is a partnership among US and UK foundations. It funds projects that take transformational steps to inform, improve, and advance the knowledge bases, practices, and design of informal STEM learning experiences and environments. The long-term SL+ goals are to broaden participation in STEM and to better understand, strengthen and coordinate STEM engagement and lifelong learning.

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