| NSF Org: |
DRL Division of Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings (DRL) |
| Recipient: |
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| Initial Amendment Date: | May 28, 2021 |
| Latest Amendment Date: | January 17, 2025 |
| Award Number: | 2116070 |
| Award Instrument: | Continuing Grant |
| Program Manager: |
Kevin A. Clark
kevclark@nsf.gov (703)292-8191 DRL Division of Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings (DRL) EDU Directorate for STEM Education |
| Start Date: | October 1, 2021 |
| End Date: | March 31, 2026 (Estimated) |
| Total Intended Award Amount: | $2,979,451.00 |
| Total Awarded Amount to Date: | $3,078,314.00 |
| Funds Obligated to Date: |
FY 2022 = $1,489,621.00 FY 2023 = $193,236.00 FY 2025 = $98,863.00 |
| History of Investigator: |
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| Recipient Sponsored Research Office: |
909 DAVIS ST FL 5 EVANSTON IL US 60201-3645 (847)475-9140 |
| Sponsor Congressional District: |
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| Primary Place of Performance: |
1421 Sherman Avenue Evanston IL US 60201-4460 |
| 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): |
XC-Crosscutting Activities Pro, AISL |
| Primary Program Source: |
04002122DB NSF Education & Human Resource 04002223DB NSF Education & Human Resource 04002324DB NSF STEM Education 04002526DB NSF STEM Education |
| 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): | 47.050, 47.076 |
ABSTRACT
As part of its overall strategy to enhance learning in informal environments, the Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL) program seeks to advance new approaches to, and evidence-based understanding of, the design and development of STEM learning in informal environments. This includes providing multiple pathways for broadening access to and engagement in STEM learning experiences, advancing innovative research on and assessment of STEM learning in informal environments, and developing understandings of deeper learning by participants.
The Ice Worlds media project will inspire millions of children and adults to gain new knowledge about polar environments, the planet?s climate, and humanity?s place within Earth?s complex systems?supporting an informed, STEM literate citizenry. Featuring the NSF-funded THOR expedition to Thwaites glacier, along with contributions of many NSF-supported researchers worldwide, Ice Worlds will share the importance of investments in STEM with audiences in giant screen theaters, on television, online, and in other informal settings. Primary project deliverables include a giant screen film, a filmmaking workshop for Native American middle school students that will result in a documentary, a climate storytelling professional development program for informal educators, and a knowledge-building summative evaluation. The project?s largest target audience is middle school learners (ages 11-14); specific activities are designed for Native American youth and informal science practitioners. Innovative outreach will engage youth underserved in science inspiring a new generation of scientists and investigative thinkers. The project?s professional development programs will build the capacity of informal educators to engage communities and communicate science. The Ice Worlds project is a collaboration among media producers Giant Screen Films, Natural History New Zealand, PBS, and Academy Award nominated film directors (Yes/No Productions). Additional collaborators include Northwestern University, The American Indian Science and Engineering Society, the Native American Journalism Association, a group of museum and science center partners, and a team of advisors including scientific and Indigenous experts associated with the NSF-funded Study of Environmental Arctic Change initiative.
The goals of the project are: 1) to increase public understanding of the processes and consequences of environmental change in polar ecosystems, 2) to explore the effectiveness of the giant screen format to impart knowledge, inspire motivation and caring for nature, 3) to improve middle schoolers? interest, confidence and engagement in STEM topics and pursuits?broadly and through a specific program for Native American youth, and 4) to build informal educators? capacity to share stories of climate change in their communities. The main evaluation questions are 1) to what extent does the Ice World film affect learning, engagement, and motivation around STEM pursuits and environmental problem solving 2) what is the added value of companion media for youth?s giant screen learning over short and longer term, and 3) what are the impacts of the culturally based Native American youth workshops.
The evaluation work will involve a Native American youth advisory panel and a panel of science center practitioners in the giant screen film?s development and evaluation process. Formative evaluation of the film will involve recruiting youth from diverse backgrounds, including representation of Native youth, to see the film in the giant screen theater of a partner site. Post viewing surveys and group discussions will explore their experience of the film with respect to engagement, learning, evoking spatial presence, and motivational impact. A summative evaluation of the completed film will assess its immediate and longer term impacts. Statistical analyses will be conducted on all quantitative data generated from the evaluation, including a comparison of pre and post knowledge scores. An evaluation of the Tribal Youth Media program will include a significant period of formative evaluation and community engagement to align activities to the needs and interests of participating students. Culturally appropriate measures, qualitative methods and frameworks will be used to assess the learning impacts. Data will be analyzed to determine learning impacts of the workshop on youth participants as well as mentors and other stakeholder participants. Evaluation of the community climate storytelling professional development component will include lessons learned and recommendations for implementation.
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.
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