Award Abstract # 1949526
Collaborative Research: Network Science for All: Positioning Underserved Youth for Success in Pursuing STEM Pathways

NSF Org: DRL
Division of Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings (DRL)
Recipient: TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY
Initial Amendment Date: March 3, 2020
Latest Amendment Date: April 20, 2023
Award Number: 1949526
Award Instrument: Standard Grant
Program Manager: Alicia Santiago Gonzalez
asantiag@nsf.gov
 (703)292-4546
DRL
 Division of Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings (DRL)
EDU
 Directorate for STEM Education
Start Date: March 15, 2020
End Date: August 31, 2025 (Estimated)
Total Intended Award Amount: $1,060,474.00
Total Awarded Amount to Date: $1,260,459.00
Funds Obligated to Date: FY 2020 = $1,060,474.00
FY 2023 = $199,985.00
History of Investigator:
  • Kimberly Howard (Principal Investigator)
    khoward@bu.edu
  • Paul Trunfio (Co-Principal Investigator)
  • Vernon Solberg (Co-Principal Investigator)
Recipient Sponsored Research Office: Trustees of Boston University
1 SILBER WAY
BOSTON
MA  US  02215-1703
(617)353-4365
Sponsor Congressional District: 07
Primary Place of Performance: Trustees of Boston University
MA  US  02215-1703
Primary Place of Performance
Congressional District:
07
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): THL6A6JLE1S7
Parent UEI:
NSF Program(s): ITEST-Inov Tech Exp Stu & Teac
Primary Program Source: 1300PYXXDB H-1B FUND, EDU, NSF
1300XXXXDB H-1B FUND, EDU, NSF
Program Reference Code(s): 8212
Program Element Code(s): 722700
Award Agency Code: 4900
Fund Agency Code: 4900
Assistance Listing Number(s): 47.076

ABSTRACT

Boston University, in partnership with Sociedad Latina, will investigate the role that a middle school network science curriculum plays as both an input and outcome of science learning. 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 project team will focus on development of skills to investigate real-world problems that have meaningful consequences for humankind across social, technical, and scientific domains. This project will make use of publicly available data to allow students to be involved in project-based activities in and out of their classrooms that can have societal impact. The project team will leverage previously developed data-driven curriculum in the context of a network science lens, synthesize highly promising technical and STEM resources as well as in-school and out-of-school programs, and embed new education research advances on effective career development to evolve a construct that will best position underserved youth for future learning of science. The curriculum and career development resources will directly reach 600 principally Latinx students, 12 teachers, parents, and other key stakeholders. Project activities will be implemented in a range of in-school and after-school programs in Boston. Through a collective impact approach, the project will be replicable, scale to more schools throughout Massachusetts, inform related projects, and evolve to regional and national impact.

The project will create novel learning opportunities for middle school students to explore real-world project-based problems addressed through data analysis, data visualization and network modeling. This study will advance the field of interdisciplinary teaching and learning as well as strategies for supporting students and teachers through three interdependent strands: (1) Network Science for All workforce readiness curriculum modules, (2) applied evaluation metrics based on comparing students to peer groups through statewide data, and (3) sustainability and scalability embedded in the structure of the program. The project will be informed by several advisory boards aimed at leveraging the program in order to sustain and scale the effort. At Boston University, an internal advisory board will embed the project into the broad ecosystem of the university as part of a collective impact culture. A STEM advisory board will inform the science program. A formal independent external advisory board will guide the project?s efforts. Research will be conducted in two phases. In Phase 1, design-based research will be used to iteratively refine curriculum and programmatic interventions. In Phase 2, the research will examine the degree to which the program positions youth for success by examining the (1) varied acquisition of next generation STEM competencies for future workforce needs, (2) motivation and engagement of students and their support systems, and (3) impact on shifting STEM-related career goals and pathways to achieving these goals. All materials will be available in electronic forms on a Boston University project website, will be licensed under open-source code and open content licenses, and will be freely distributed to teachers, curriculum developers, and researchers. Research findings will be widely disseminated through publications and conference proceedings.

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.

PUBLICATIONS PRODUCED AS A RESULT OF THIS RESEARCH

Note:  When clicking on a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) number, you will be taken to an external site maintained by the publisher. Some full text articles may not yet be available without a charge during the embargo (administrative interval).

Some links on this page may take you to non-federal websites. Their policies may differ from this site.

Park, C. and Rodriguez, A. and Flete Gomez, J.R. and Erilus, I. and Kim, H. and Dai, Y. and Oliver-Davila, A. and Trunfio, P. and Howard, K.A.S. and and Solberg, V. S. "Embedding Life Design in Future Readiness Efforts to Promote Collective Impact and Economically Sustainable Communities: Conceptual Frameworks and Case Example" Sustainability , v.13 , 2021 https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313189 Citation Details
Park, Chong Myung and Donnelly, Hayoung Kim and Rodriguez, Angelica and Esquivel, Luis and Nardi, Cecilia and Trunfio, Paul and Oliver-Davila, Alexandra and Howard, Kimberly A. and Solberg, V. Scott "Developing STEM Career Identities among Latinx Youths: Collaborative Design, Evaluations, and Adaptations during COVID-19" Behavioral Sciences , v.13 , 2023 https://doi.org/10.3390/bs13110949 Citation Details

Please report errors in award information by writing to: awardsearch@nsf.gov.

Print this page

Back to Top of page