Proposal

Narrative

In the fall of 2019, I applied for the technology fee proposal “Hands-on STEM Education Activities for Pre-service Teachers” and was awarded the grant in 2020. The initiative to integrate STEM activities into pre-service teacher education was highly successful, though adaptations had to be made due to the shift to online learning during the global pandemic.This included the infusion of online STEM education lessons into several teacher education courses and in-person lessons for students who wish to come to FAU and work with the STEM kits as an alternative to online coursework. The STEM kits have also been adapted for use in the online M.Ed. in Instructional Technology program. For example, students completed a project for the EME 6945 Field Experience in Technology and Education, an Academic Service Learning Course. In doing so, the instructional technology masters students used them to develop and teach lessons at a community-based STEM fair. In summary, we have found many instructional uses for these STEM kits. Now that we have implemented the STEM kits, we have realized there is also room for improvement on how to do so. First, when the STEM kits were first requested, it was not anticipated that so many would be used at a time. Each device requires a tablet to run it, and more tablets are needed so they can be configured to run and/or coded. Also, it has been found that the Dash robots are one of the most popular tools, and more are needed to be able to develop lessons with them and enable students to experience them individually. Another realization is that each 3D printer should have its own cart so that it can be safely transported to the classroom, and thus an additional cart is needed. For this tech fee proposal, we are requesting the equipment that is needed to bring this initiative up to its fullest potential. The requested items include: Das Rotos and carrying cases Andriod Tables and cases iPads and cases 3D printer lubricant Printer Cart

Facilities

We are not requesting facilities, but if there is room for a STEM lab in the COE in Boca we would love to set up a space (optional).

Hardware Requirements

Das Rotos (9) Andriod Tables (4) iPads (8) misc. accessories/chargers

Software Requirements

We will download the free app Blocly to the tablets to use for coding robots. Tinkcad is free and will be used for 3D printer designs. Other free apps and such as Lego Wedo will be added to the tables to run the STEM kits we already have from the prior grant.

Personnel Costs

We will use these technology tools as part of our teaching. The only other personnel we may need is assistance from our college technology staff if items break/need repari.

Other Costs

NA

Timeline

We will implement the items immediately into our existing instructional program.

Sustainability

The tablets and robots should last 5 years or more. The printer cart should last as long as the 3D printer does.

Resource Matching

We already have some robots and STEM kits in the COE from a prior grant. We just need the tablets to be able to run more than one at a time and additional robots because they are very effective in the classroom.

Implementing Organization

Instructors in the Department of curriculum and Instruction will implement the project. We are skilled at configuring tablets and STEM kits and using them with our students.