NSF Org:	EEC Division of Engineering Education and Centers
Recipient:	PRAIRIE VIEW A&M UNIVERSITY
Initial Amendment Date:	July 17, 2023
Latest Amendment Date:	July 17, 2023
Award Number:	2302112
Award Instrument:	Standard Grant
Program Manager:	Alice Pawley apawley@nsf.gov  (703)292-7286 EEC  Division of Engineering Education and Centers ENG  Directorate for Engineering
Start Date:	September 1, 2023
End Date:	August 31, 2026 (Estimated)
Total Intended Award Amount:	$600,482.00
Total Awarded Amount to Date:	$600,482.00
Funds Obligated to Date:	FY 2023 = $600,482.00
History of Investigator:	Keisha Antoine (Principal Investigator) Jorge Gabitto (Co-Principal Investigator) Penrose Cofie (Co-Principal Investigator) Justin Foreman (Co-Principal Investigator) Kazeem Olanrewaju (Co-Principal Investigator)
Recipient Sponsored Research Office:	Prairie View A & M University 100 UNIVERSITY DR PRAIRIE VIEW TX  US  77446 (936)261-1689
Sponsor Congressional District:	10
Primary Place of Performance:	Prairie View A & M University 700 UNIVERSITY DR PRAIRIE VIEW TX  US  77446-6850
Primary Place of Performance Congressional District:	10
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI):	FTAAW94S6LC6
Parent UEI:	FTAAW94S6LC6
NSF Program(s):	HBCU-EiR - HBCU-Excellence in
Primary Program Source:	01002223DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
Program Reference Code(s):	1340, 110E
Program Element Code(s):	070Y00
Award Agency Code:	4900
Fund Agency Code:	4900
Assistance Listing Number(s):	47.041, 47.083

ABSTRACT

This project is focused on increasing engineering education research at PVAMU using mixed reality (MR) as an active learning tool. In MR experiences, digital elements are superimposed onto physical environments and real-world objects and users interact with 3D digital elements through headsets rather than via a screen, thus providing a truly immersive experience. Mixed reality is an innovative and transformative technology that has the potential to improve learning, both in the classroom and in the laboratory, and offer students digital learning experiences that they find engaging and valuable whether they are in the same setting as their lab colleagues or participating remotely. MR technology is growing in importance and is already being used in a plethora of applications: business, medicine, and architecture to name a few. We will extend the use of MR by creating MR-based instructional environments to provide first-person, immersive learning experiences unavailable in traditional classroom formats and to measure their impact on instruction and students.

Research has shown that students demonstrate better learning outcomes if their learning encompasses a strong experiential component. This project is actively seeking methods to implement a practical complement to classroom instruction. Mixed reality technology a first-person, immersive experience relevant to the learner which can bridge the gap between theory and practice without involving risk and expensive expendables while eliminating practical limitations (e.g., accessing the inner workings of an active process or structure). This project will create MR environments to advance Chemical Engineering as well as Electrical and Computer Engineering courses. The research planned will address five questions using descriptive, quasi-experimental, and qualitative methods. Descriptive elements include the degree to which specific forms of learning are achieved and what are desired applications for MR. Application of MR in engineering has the potential to increase accessibility for students by meeting people where they are, thus addressing equity initiatives while increasing opportunity for engagement and individualization of learning.

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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