What's New on CADREK12.org
Announcement | NSF During the U.S. Government Shutdown
The following message is posted on NSF's website: Due to a lapse in appropriations, NSF is closed. NSF will continue to accept proposals in accordance with published guidelines. Find additional information for Panelists, Proposers, and Recipients and complete information about NSF’s contingency plan.
The following message is posted on NSF's website: Due to a lapse in appropriations, NSF is closed. NSF will continue to accept proposals in accordance with published guidelines. Find additional information for Panelists, Proposers, and Recipients and complete information about NSF’s contingency plan.
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Event | NSF Supplemental Funding Opportunities for Expanding K-12 Resources for AI Education
Learn about NSF supplemental funding opportunities for expanding K-12 resources for AI education in an upcoming NSF webinar, October 9 at 1 PM ET. Learn more and register: https://www.nsf.gov/events/nsf-supplemental-funding-opportunities-expanding-k-12/2025-10-09 #AIEd #EdResearch
Learn about NSF supplemental funding opportunities for expanding K-12 resources for AI education in an upcoming NSF webinar, October 9 at 1 PM ET. Learn more and register: https://www.nsf.gov/events/nsf-supplemental-funding-opportunities-expanding-k-12/2025-10-09 #AIEd #EdResearch
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Newsletter | September 2025 Newsletter
Dear Colleagues, While the DRK–12 Program is archived and will not accept new proposals, NSF continues to announce new DRK–12 awards from the 2024 solicitation. Meanwhile, those who might ordinarily submit a proposal to DRK–12 are encouraged to consider NSF’s new program, NSF STEM K–12. NSF hosted a webinar earlier this month to provide an overview of FY2026 funding opportunities available…
Dear Colleagues, While the DRK–12 Program is archived and will not accept new proposals, NSF continues to announce new DRK–12 awards from the 2024 solicitation. Meanwhile, those who might ordinarily submit a proposal to DRK–12 are encouraged to consider NSF’s new program, NSF STEM K–12. NSF hosted a webinar earlier this month to provide an overview of FY2026 funding opportunities available…
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Resource | An Instructional Framework for Teaching STEM to Students with Moderate to Severe Disabilities
Answering questions and solving problems are critical skills that affect the quality of life for all people. The content areas of science and engineering traditionally and most directly address the processes of inquiry and problem-solving. While there is an increasing body of research surrounding teaching academic content (i.e., mathematics and science) as well as skills that are critical to…
Answering questions and solving problems are critical skills that affect the quality of life for all people. The content areas of science and engineering traditionally and most directly address the processes of inquiry and problem-solving. While there is an increasing body of research surrounding teaching academic content (i.e., mathematics and science) as well as skills that are critical to…
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Resource | Developing Inclusive Engineering Opportunities
Historically, children with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities (ID) and extensive support needs (ESN; individuals who require ongoing, intensive assistance in many areas of life) have been largely excluded from meaningful participation in STEM instruction. A focal point of this project was to investigate the behaviors of both teachers and students during the implementation of an…
Historically, children with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities (ID) and extensive support needs (ESN; individuals who require ongoing, intensive assistance in many areas of life) have been largely excluded from meaningful participation in STEM instruction. A focal point of this project was to investigate the behaviors of both teachers and students during the implementation of an…
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Announcement | NSF Research Security Training Requirement Effective October 10, 2025
NSF issued an Important Notice providing updates to NSF Research Security Policies, including the requirement of research security training for proposers and individuals identified as senior/key personnel.
NSF issued an Important Notice providing updates to NSF Research Security Policies, including the requirement of research security training for proposers and individuals identified as senior/key personnel.
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Resource | Project Bees Flyer
Project Bees is a NSF DRK-12 (#2515930) three-year project with the goal of focusing on teachers' development of engineering practices, including how teachers support their students' development of engineering-focused behaviors and mindsets through instruction. Through the use of research-based engineering curriculum, Youth Engineering Solutions (YES.mos.org) and the use of Universal Design and…
Project Bees is a NSF DRK-12 (#2515930) three-year project with the goal of focusing on teachers' development of engineering practices, including how teachers support their students' development of engineering-focused behaviors and mindsets through instruction. Through the use of research-based engineering curriculum, Youth Engineering Solutions (YES.mos.org) and the use of Universal Design and…
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Project Spotlight | Life Sciences Education
In this Spotlight, we highlight innovations and research in life sciences teaching and learning. Five projects describe the specific subdisciplines and practices they focus on, unique challenges and opportunities they've observed in this field, the scientific and technological advances they're leveraging, and how they've incorporated ethical considerations into their work. The Spotlight also…
In this Spotlight, we highlight innovations and research in life sciences teaching and learning. Five projects describe the specific subdisciplines and practices they focus on, unique challenges and opportunities they've observed in this field, the scientific and technological advances they're leveraging, and how they've incorporated ethical considerations into their work. The Spotlight also…
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Resource | Teacher Feedback Guiding Professional Development Programs: A 2-Year Field Trial Integrating Science and Language with Multilingual Learners
Since the release of A Framework for K-12 Science Education and the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), there has been an urgent need for teacher professional development (PD) programs that support the implementation of NGSS-aligned curriculum materials and address the unique strengths and needs of diverse student groups, including multilingual learners (MLs). The purpose of this…
Since the release of A Framework for K-12 Science Education and the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), there has been an urgent need for teacher professional development (PD) programs that support the implementation of NGSS-aligned curriculum materials and address the unique strengths and needs of diverse student groups, including multilingual learners (MLs). The purpose of this…
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Resource | Solarizing Your School: Engineering Design in Students’ Authentic Epistemic Practices of Adopting Renewable Energy
Engineering design has been widely implemented in K-12 curricula to cultivate future workforce. In this study, seventh-grade students (N = 38) participated in the Solarizing Your School curriculum, an action-oriented program where they engaged in engineering design processes to tackle a real-world problem related to renewable energy adoption. The study sought to explore how students…
Engineering design has been widely implemented in K-12 curricula to cultivate future workforce. In this study, seventh-grade students (N = 38) participated in the Solarizing Your School curriculum, an action-oriented program where they engaged in engineering design processes to tackle a real-world problem related to renewable energy adoption. The study sought to explore how students…
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Resource | Solarizing Your School: Engineering Design in Students’ Authentic Epistemic Practices of Adopting Renewable Energy
Engineering design has been widely implemented in K-12 curricula to cultivate future workforce. In this study, seventh-grade students (N = 38) participated in the Solarizing Your School curriculum, an action-oriented program where they engaged in engineering design processes to tackle a real-world problem related to renewable energy adoption. The study sought to explore how students…
Engineering design has been widely implemented in K-12 curricula to cultivate future workforce. In this study, seventh-grade students (N = 38) participated in the Solarizing Your School curriculum, an action-oriented program where they engaged in engineering design processes to tackle a real-world problem related to renewable energy adoption. The study sought to explore how students…
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Resource | Should We…? Embracing Justice-Oriented Climate Education in Elementary Science Teacher Preparation
Teacher preparation programs need to consider how to support elementary science teachers in developing their knowledge related to environmental and climate justice. Working with children to determine steps they can take together with their community to address and mitigate local environmental justice issues can seem daunting, especially if teachers have not had opportunities to plan and adapt…
Teacher preparation programs need to consider how to support elementary science teachers in developing their knowledge related to environmental and climate justice. Working with children to determine steps they can take together with their community to address and mitigate local environmental justice issues can seem daunting, especially if teachers have not had opportunities to plan and adapt…
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Resource | Quantitative Reasoning in the Context of Science Phenomena
Over the last decade, reform in science education has placed an emphasis on the science practices as a way to engage students in the process of science and improve scientific literacy. A critical component of developing scientific literacy is learning to apply quantitative reasoning to authentic scientific phenomena and problems. Students need practice moving fluidly (or fluently) between math…
Over the last decade, reform in science education has placed an emphasis on the science practices as a way to engage students in the process of science and improve scientific literacy. A critical component of developing scientific literacy is learning to apply quantitative reasoning to authentic scientific phenomena and problems. Students need practice moving fluidly (or fluently) between math…
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Resource | Leveraging Children’s Multicultural Literature to Support Students’ Math Identity and Problem Solving
This article explores how multicultural children’s literature for elementary classrooms can be leveraged to develop students’ mathematical understanding and foster positive math identities, particularly for multilingual learners. By integrating diverse stories into mathematics instruction, teachers can create culturally relevant contexts that invite meaningful problem-solving in tandem with rich…
This article explores how multicultural children’s literature for elementary classrooms can be leveraged to develop students’ mathematical understanding and foster positive math identities, particularly for multilingual learners. By integrating diverse stories into mathematics instruction, teachers can create culturally relevant contexts that invite meaningful problem-solving in tandem with rich…
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Resource | How Teaching Practices Relate to Early Mathematics Competencies: A Non-Linear Modeling Perspective
The significance of children’s mathematical competence during the early years is well established; however, the methods for developing such competencies remain less understood. Specifically, there is a need to identify what constitutes high-quality educational environments and effective instruction. Both the study and promotion of high-quality educational environments and teaching, through…
The significance of children’s mathematical competence during the early years is well established; however, the methods for developing such competencies remain less understood. Specifically, there is a need to identify what constitutes high-quality educational environments and effective instruction. Both the study and promotion of high-quality educational environments and teaching, through…
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Resource | Entangled in the Chemical Industry: Honest Renderings of Corporate STEM Histories for Local Engagement in Civic Science
This paper argues for addressing histories of scientific institutions and their entanglements with Euro-American imperialism, racial capitalism, and environmental injustice in secondary science education. Our argument is grounded in the history of a multinational chemical corporation that operates a chemical plant in a neighborhood where one author lives and the other teaches. This plant has…
This paper argues for addressing histories of scientific institutions and their entanglements with Euro-American imperialism, racial capitalism, and environmental injustice in secondary science education. Our argument is grounded in the history of a multinational chemical corporation that operates a chemical plant in a neighborhood where one author lives and the other teaches. This plant has…
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Resource | Enhancing Mathematical Instruction for Emergent Bilinguals Through Collaborative Situated Professional Development
This study investigates the shifts in high school mathematics teachers’ instructional practices when working with emergent bilinguals (EBs) after participating in a collaborative situated professional development (CSPD) program alongside researchers. Over the course of one academic year, the teachers engaged in co-planning, co-teaching, and co-reflecting sessions with the research team while…
This study investigates the shifts in high school mathematics teachers’ instructional practices when working with emergent bilinguals (EBs) after participating in a collaborative situated professional development (CSPD) program alongside researchers. Over the course of one academic year, the teachers engaged in co-planning, co-teaching, and co-reflecting sessions with the research team while…
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Resource | Engineering Design for an Energy-Efficient One-Room Schoolhouse
This article describes a middle school energy literacy unit that uses green building science to uncover the important ways in which energy flows between natural and built environments. The place-based unit employs the student’s own school building as a learning tool to examine how light energy and thermal energy relate to the use of electrical energy—and ultimately impact global carbon emissions…
This article describes a middle school energy literacy unit that uses green building science to uncover the important ways in which energy flows between natural and built environments. The place-based unit employs the student’s own school building as a learning tool to examine how light energy and thermal energy relate to the use of electrical energy—and ultimately impact global carbon emissions…
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Resource | Effects of Perceptual and Cognitive Factors on Preservice Teachers’ Professional Noticing: A Grounded Cognitive Perspective of Professional Noticing
Professional noticing is a critical skill for teachers, enabling them to interpret and respond to significant moments in the classroom to support student learning. While recent theoretical papers have broadened the conceptualization of noticing to include social, embodied, and environmental factors, empirical research exploring the interaction of such domains is limited. To address this gap, the…
Professional noticing is a critical skill for teachers, enabling them to interpret and respond to significant moments in the classroom to support student learning. While recent theoretical papers have broadened the conceptualization of noticing to include social, embodied, and environmental factors, empirical research exploring the interaction of such domains is limited. To address this gap, the…
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Resource | Discontinuities that Arise When Designing for Educational Improvement at State Scale
This paper explores the tensions—or discontinuities—that arise when designing for educational improvement at scale through research-practice partnerships (RPPs). Focusing on a statewide mathematics education initiative, the authors examine the complexities of coordinating work across diverse communities of practice and analyze how identity, power, and meaning-making impact collaborative problem…
This paper explores the tensions—or discontinuities—that arise when designing for educational improvement at scale through research-practice partnerships (RPPs). Focusing on a statewide mathematics education initiative, the authors examine the complexities of coordinating work across diverse communities of practice and analyze how identity, power, and meaning-making impact collaborative problem…
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Resource | Discontinuities that Arise When Designing for Educational Improvement at State Scale
This paper explores the tensions—or discontinuities—that arise when designing for educational improvement at scale through research-practice partnerships (RPPs). Focusing on a statewide mathematics education initiative, the authors examine the complexities of coordinating work across diverse communities of practice and analyze how identity, power, and meaning-making impact collaborative problem…
This paper explores the tensions—or discontinuities—that arise when designing for educational improvement at scale through research-practice partnerships (RPPs). Focusing on a statewide mathematics education initiative, the authors examine the complexities of coordinating work across diverse communities of practice and analyze how identity, power, and meaning-making impact collaborative problem…
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Resource | Discontinuities that Arise When Designing for Educational Improvement at State Scale
This paper explores the tensions—or discontinuities—that arise when designing for educational improvement at scale through research-practice partnerships (RPPs). Focusing on a statewide mathematics education initiative, the authors examine the complexities of coordinating work across diverse communities of practice and analyze how identity, power, and meaning-making impact collaborative problem…
This paper explores the tensions—or discontinuities—that arise when designing for educational improvement at scale through research-practice partnerships (RPPs). Focusing on a statewide mathematics education initiative, the authors examine the complexities of coordinating work across diverse communities of practice and analyze how identity, power, and meaning-making impact collaborative problem…
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Resource | Discontinuities that Arise When Designing for Educational Improvement at State Scale
This paper explores the tensions—or discontinuities—that arise when designing for educational improvement at scale through research-practice partnerships (RPPs). Focusing on a statewide mathematics education initiative, the authors examine the complexities of coordinating work across diverse communities of practice and analyze how identity, power, and meaning-making impact collaborative problem…
This paper explores the tensions—or discontinuities—that arise when designing for educational improvement at scale through research-practice partnerships (RPPs). Focusing on a statewide mathematics education initiative, the authors examine the complexities of coordinating work across diverse communities of practice and analyze how identity, power, and meaning-making impact collaborative problem…
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Resource | Developing Prospective Teachers’ Language-Expansive Noticing
Enacting reform-oriented, phenomenon-based instruction provides us an opportunity to more equitably teach science. Particularly, our teaching can be stronger when we elicit, notice and then use all students’ ideas and questions to inform how students collaborate to figure out phenomena. However, this is only possible if we learn to expansively notice the many language resources multilingual…
Enacting reform-oriented, phenomenon-based instruction provides us an opportunity to more equitably teach science. Particularly, our teaching can be stronger when we elicit, notice and then use all students’ ideas and questions to inform how students collaborate to figure out phenomena. However, this is only possible if we learn to expansively notice the many language resources multilingual…
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Resource | Daylight Data: Deepening Earth Systems Understanding with CODAP Plugins
Students benefit from having opportunities to explore extensive, complex datasets using technology tools that are intuitive and accessible. Likewise, middle school teachers require convenient access to captivating datasets, supportive resources, and classroom-appropriate software. We developed two CODAP (Common Online Data Analysis Platform) plugins that allow students to engage with data about…
Students benefit from having opportunities to explore extensive, complex datasets using technology tools that are intuitive and accessible. Likewise, middle school teachers require convenient access to captivating datasets, supportive resources, and classroom-appropriate software. We developed two CODAP (Common Online Data Analysis Platform) plugins that allow students to engage with data about…
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Resource | Building Instructional Capacity and Creating Opportunities for Professional Growth: Mathematics Professional Development for Paraeducators
Paraeducators provide essential academic support for young learners of mathematics. However, they have limited opportunities to engage in professional development (PD) that is responsive to their instructional needs and role. To scaffold paraeducators’ growth, project staff designed, tested, and refined a PD model specifically for K–3 paraeducators working in a diverse urban district. Results…
Paraeducators provide essential academic support for young learners of mathematics. However, they have limited opportunities to engage in professional development (PD) that is responsive to their instructional needs and role. To scaffold paraeducators’ growth, project staff designed, tested, and refined a PD model specifically for K–3 paraeducators working in a diverse urban district. Results…
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Event | 2025 DRK-12 PI Meeting
Dates: June 9-11, 2025 Location: Arlington, VA The 2025 DRK-12 PI Meeting provided opportunities for learning, networking, and substantive conversations for more than 200 DRK–12 project leaders, NSF program directors, and CADRE Fellows. Access session slides and materials from these featured sessions: AI and STEM Education: Opportunities and Impacts Fireside Chat with Foundation Representatives…
Dates: June 9-11, 2025 Location: Arlington, VA The 2025 DRK-12 PI Meeting provided opportunities for learning, networking, and substantive conversations for more than 200 DRK–12 project leaders, NSF program directors, and CADRE Fellows. Access session slides and materials from these featured sessions: AI and STEM Education: Opportunities and Impacts Fireside Chat with Foundation Representatives…
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Resource | Ways Researchers Can Use Teacher Noticing to Inform the Conceptualization of a Complex Teaching Practice
Prior research has examined teachers’ noticing in order to understand what factors affect teacher noticing and how mathematics teacher educators can support that noticing. We contend, however, that analyzing teachers’ noticing has the potential to be used for additional purposes. In this paper, we illustrate how we used teachers’ noticing as one tool for gaining insight into our conceptualization…
Prior research has examined teachers’ noticing in order to understand what factors affect teacher noticing and how mathematics teacher educators can support that noticing. We contend, however, that analyzing teachers’ noticing has the potential to be used for additional purposes. In this paper, we illustrate how we used teachers’ noticing as one tool for gaining insight into our conceptualization…
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Resource | Ways Researchers Can Use Teacher Noticing to Inform the Conceptualization of a Complex Teaching Practice
Prior research has examined teachers’ noticing in order to understand what factors affect teacher noticing and how mathematics teacher educators can support that noticing. We contend, however, that analyzing teachers’ noticing has the potential to be used for additional purposes. In this paper, we illustrate how we used teachers’ noticing as one tool for gaining insight into our conceptualization…
Prior research has examined teachers’ noticing in order to understand what factors affect teacher noticing and how mathematics teacher educators can support that noticing. We contend, however, that analyzing teachers’ noticing has the potential to be used for additional purposes. In this paper, we illustrate how we used teachers’ noticing as one tool for gaining insight into our conceptualization…
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Resource | The Role of Discrimination and Barriers in the Perceptions of Adolescents With and Without Disabilities of STEM Classes and Jobs
In STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields, people with disabilities are underrepresented. This study aimed to determine what barriers might prevent students with and without disabilities from pursuing STEM careers. Differences in students’ interest in enrolling in advanced STEM courses and having a STEM career were evaluated in a sample of 438 students with (24.9%) and without…
In STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields, people with disabilities are underrepresented. This study aimed to determine what barriers might prevent students with and without disabilities from pursuing STEM careers. Differences in students’ interest in enrolling in advanced STEM courses and having a STEM career were evaluated in a sample of 438 students with (24.9%) and without…
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