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Storm Lake Project

Overview

The school-aged residents of Storm Lake City, Iowa, who are primarily the U.S.-born children of low-skilled workers, represent a significant untapped population of future STEM workers and entrepreneurs.

Objectives

  • Identify stakeholder needs and aspirations for new place-based educational curricula in STEM fields and entrepreneurship in partnership with the community.
  • Co-design innovative XR-enabled technology delivery models to meet these needs.
  • Assess the pilot outcomes with the goal of developing a future large-scale research project based on the results.

Outcomes

Generate much-needed new understandings of the educational needs and aspirations of the youth, and families, in the community. Co-design methods empower local stakeholders.

Add to the emerging literature on smart and connected STEM education delivery models, inclusive and place-based rural STEM education, and community-engaged co-design.

Update

  • The research project was featured in the 2022 STEM for All Video Showcase funded by NSF and received Public Choice recognition.
  • Bi-weekly meetings to discuss activities, stakeholders, delivery models, and assessment strategies with the participation of 4-H staff.
  • Participation of NSF REU interns during Summer 2022 with a project to increase college admissions accessibility for non-native English speakers.
  • 2 Coordination visits, one student workshop, one teacher workshop, one students visit to ISU, a 3-day Summer Camp, and a 2-day GameJam.

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