| NSF Org: |
TI Translational Impacts |
| Recipient: |
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| Initial Amendment Date: | July 31, 2019 |
| Latest Amendment Date: | November 16, 2022 |
| Award Number: | 1927573 |
| Award Instrument: | Standard Grant |
| Program Manager: |
Rajesh Mehta
rmehta@nsf.gov (703)292-2174 TI Translational Impacts TIP Directorate for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships |
| Start Date: | August 1, 2019 |
| End Date: | July 31, 2024 (Estimated) |
| Total Intended Award Amount: | $750,000.00 |
| Total Awarded Amount to Date: | $1,209,518.00 |
| Funds Obligated to Date: |
FY 2021 = $199,999.00 FY 2022 = $149,999.00 FY 2023 = $109,520.00 |
| History of Investigator: |
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| Recipient Sponsored Research Office: |
2756 SILVER HILL TER SE ATLANTA GA US 30316-6701 (404)759-4525 |
| Sponsor Congressional District: |
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| Primary Place of Performance: |
2756 Silver Hill Terrace SE Atlanta GA US 30316-6701 |
| Primary Place of
Performance Congressional District: |
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| Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): |
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| Parent UEI: |
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| NSF Program(s): | SBIR Phase II |
| Primary Program Source: |
01002324DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT 01001920DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT 01002122DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT |
| Program Reference Code(s): |
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| Program Element Code(s): |
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| Award Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Fund Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Assistance Listing Number(s): | 47.084 |
ABSTRACT
The broader impact of this SBIR Phase II project will be achieved through further development of a novel physical music media platform with advanced instrumentation that is designed to promote deeper engagement in education for underrepresented youths. The platform will provide much needed educational support for youths' STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) learning. The technology's relevance and attractiveness to adolescents have important implications for promoting social resilience of the learners given the salience of STEAM as the "career supporting language of the 21st century". Initially the sensor embedded platter units will be offered for use in after-school programming. By engaging and educating inner city students with their own musical interests, an increased pipeline of diverse STEM learners is expected. The proposed product may also help counteract maladaptive coping patterns (such as truancy) among inner-city youths and inspire them to pursue personally and socially impactful goals.
The intellectual merit of this SBIR Phase II project lies in the development of unique sensor embedded turntable designed for delivering entertainment to simultaneously deliver educationally enriching content. Specifically, the project will provide SensorTable platters, software, and STEM curricula. The proposed Turntable Lab will be a school-based program to enhance STEM learning in underserved urban youth communities. To promote effective immersion, the proposed Turntable Lab not only will integrate known musical and visual content but also enable the student to actively manipulate the content. This immersion will keep the students engaged while producing desired educational outcomes. With appropriate curriculum lessons, these advancements will facilitate development of programs designed to instruct students in STEM subjects via the art of DJing and Music. Used in practice, DJs will benefit from learning techniques via the unique instrumentation, while students will benefit from the data collected during live performances.
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.
PROJECT OUTCOMES REPORT
Disclaimer
This Project Outcomes Report for the General Public is displayed verbatim as submitted by the Principal Investigator (PI) for this award. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this Report are those of the PI and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation; NSF has not approved or endorsed its content.
The ThinkLive! project developed Scratch PlaygroundTM, an interactive, cloud-based DJing platform integrating STEM and music education. Designed to engage students in hands-on learning, Scratch PlaygroundTM allows students to explore complex STEM concepts through the art of DJing. By blending technical skills with creative expression, this platform offers an innovative and engaging approach to teaching math, science, and music in K-12 schools.
Intellectual Merit
The intellectual merit of this project lies in its unique approach to combining STEM and music through interactive, hands-on learning. Scratch PlaygroundTM encourages students to explore key concepts, such as ratios, speed, and rhythm, in a real-world context, reinforcing traditional classroom learning. The project team developed a standards-aligned, 20-lesson curriculum that adheres to national educational standards (NGSS, CCSS, and National Core Arts Standards), ensuring that content is relevant, rigorous, and easy for educators to integrate into various learning environments.
Broader Impacts
The broader impacts of the ThinkLive! project extend beyond STEM and music education, fostering an inclusive and accessible learning environment:
- Increased Accessibility to Technology: Scratch PlaygroundTM is a cloud-based platform compatible with widely available MIDI controllers and adaptable for diverse settings, from in-class learning to after-school programs. This flexibility reduces barriers for schools with limited resources, allowing them to adopt the platform without needing specialized equipment.
- Engagement through Interactivity: Interactive features, such as real-time feedback, performance tracking, and theme customization, keep students engaged and motivated, making learning practical and enjoyable. The platform supports skill development by adding interactive elements while helping students retain complex concepts through hands-on practice.
- Bridging STEM and the Arts: This project demonstrates the potential for integrating STEM with the arts, showing how DJing can reinforce STEM concepts while nurturing creativity and critical thinking skills. This interdisciplinary approach enriches STEM and arts education, fostering well-rounded student development.
Project Outcomes
Throughout the project, ThinkLive! achieved several key outcomes that reflect the successful implementation of Scratch PlaygroundTM:
- Enhanced K-12 Learning Experiences: Scratch PlaygroundTM was effectively integrated into K-12 classrooms, after-school clubs, and extended-day programs. Teachers reported increased engagement and enthusiasm among students as they explored DJing while learning core STEM concepts.
- Pilot Programs and Teacher Training: ThinkLive! conducted pilot programs across multiple school districts, gathering valuable feedback from educators and students. Teacher training and professional development sessions empowered educators to adopt and use the platform effectively.
- Data-Driven Learning and Feedback: The platform provides real-time feedback on students' mixing accuracy, tempo control, and other DJing skills, enabling teachers and students to track progress. Teachers can monitor individual performance, using this data to personalize instruction and reinforce learning based on each student's needs. Consistent with Maria Montessori's global contributions to children's learning and educational successes, teacher feedback was poignant for youth with particular learning styles. It suggested the positives of the "action" or kinesthetic benefits of the platform activities. A consistent comment from teachers was the unexpected level of engagement for particular students generally characterized as "under-engaged" or "hard to engage" in the classroom or traditional academic activities.
- Potential for Broader Adoption: By aligning the platform with national and state standards and maintaining flexibility, ThinkLive! has opened doors for broader adoption across schools. The project's success shows that integrating STEM and the arts through innovative technology can transform educational experiences, making learning more inclusive, practical, and impactful, particularly for "learning diverse students."
Conclusion
The ThinkLive! Scratch PlaygroundTM project has created a unique educational tool that bridges STEM and music, providing a new way for students to learn and teachers to teach. The platform’s interactive, hands-on approach deepens students' understanding of STEM and fosters creativity, engagement, and motivation. With these accomplishments, ThinkLive! has laid the groundwork for broader integration of interdisciplinary, technology-driven learning in schools and out-of-school programming settings, thus positively impacting education on both local and national levels.
Last Modified: 10/30/2024
Modified by: Charles Spencer
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