Principal Investigator: Sharon Lynn Chu

Sponsor: National Science Foundation

Start Date: March 1, 2020

End Date: February 28, 2025

Amount: $749,988

Abstract

A significant problem in science learning is that students do not always see the relevance of the concepts they are learning. This lack of perceived relevance may then lead to less student engagement in science. This project will investigate how to connect 4th to 6th grade students? out-of-classroom, everyday experiences with formal in-classroom science instruction through the use of wearable and visualization technologies. Students will use wearable technologies to capture their everyday experiences related to science and reflect on these experiences through a web-based interface. A dashboard application will support teachers in tailoring their classroom science lesson plans accordingly. The project will contribute to our understanding of how to design wearable technologies for connecting learning across contexts and will inform a framework of teaching science that is better grounded in students? everyday experiences with science concepts. Students from two highly diverse K-12 schools will participate in the project. Outcomes of the project will lead to the design of new structures for connected science learning that are responsive to diverse student experiences and backgrounds.