ERIC Number: EJ960172
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012
Pages: 4
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-2158-0502
EISSN: N/A
Seeking Teachers for Underwater Robotics PD Program
McGrath, Beth; Sayres, Jason
Technology and Engineering Teacher, v71 n4 p14-17 Dec 2011-Jan 2012
With funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF), ITEEA members will contribute to the development of a hybrid professional development program designed to facilitate the scale-up of an innovative underwater robotics curriculum. WaterBotics[TM] is an underwater robotics curriculum that targets students in middle and high school classrooms as well as participants in informal learning environments such as summer camps and after-school programs. The curriculum provides hands-on experience with a variety of concepts in physical science, engineering, and information technology and gives students valuable exposure to other 21st century skills, such as problem-solving, teamwork, creativity, and innovation. External evaluation has demonstrated increased student learning of science and engineering concepts as well as increased interest in engineering careers by students who have participated in WaterBotics[TM]. Originally developed by Stevens Institute of Technology through an NSF Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST) grant in 2006-2010, the WaterBotics[TM] curriculum is being disseminated through four hub sites around the country (in Ohio, Texas, Illinois, and Kentucky) that are delivering face-to-face turnkey training institutes for formal and informal educators. In addition, through a partnership with ITEEA, a hybrid training program--which includes a full-day face-to-face workshop and several online modules--will be developed, pilot-tested, and disseminated. The hub site dissemination as well as the partnership with ITEEA is part of a five-year NSF ITEST Scale-Up grant.
Descriptors: Educational Technology, Robotics, Science Course Improvement Projects, Secondary School Curriculum, Training Methods, Professional Development, STEM Education, Partnerships in Education, Blended Learning, Science Process Skills, Program Descriptions, Science Interests, Science Activities
International Technology and Engineering Educators Association. 1914 Association Drive Suite 201, Reston, VA 20191-1539. Tel: 703-860-2100; Fax: 703-860-0353; e-mail: itea@iteaconnect.org; Web site: http://www.iteaconnect.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Illinois; Kentucky; Ohio; Texas
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A