DRK-12 Research and Products

ScratchJr Demo: A coding language for Kindergarten
Turning Transfer Inside Out: The Affordances of Virtual Worlds and Mobile Devices in Real World Contexts for Teaching About Causality Across Time and Distance in Ecosystems
MSPnet Academy: Infusing Computational Thinking into Science Education
Presentation | In this webinar, presenters describe how the study of Complex Adaptive Systems through computer modeling and simulation fits into existing science frameworks and classes, share information about their program and curricula, and describe the…
Developing Visions of High-Quality Mathematics Instruction
English Language Learners’ Online Science Learning: A Case Study
Publication | Terrazas-Arellanes, F., Knox, C., Rivas, C., & Walden, E. (in press). English Language Learners’ Online Science Learning: A Case Study. In J. E. Aitken (Ed.), Cases on communication technology for second language acquisition and cultural…
Constructing Scientific Arguments Using Evidence from Dynamic Computational Climate Models
Publication | Modeling and argumentation are two important scientific practices students need to develop throughout school years. In this paper, we investigated how middle and high school students (N=512) construct a scientific argument based on evidence from…
Assessing and Using Students’ Prior Knowledge in Problem-Based Instruction
Examining Young Students’ Problem Scoping in Engineering Design
Publication | Exploring students' problem solving within an integrated engineering and literacy activity
Lessons learned from an initial effort to bring a Quantified Self "meetup" experience to a new demographic
‘‘I want my robot to look for food’’: Comparing Kindergartner’s programming comprehension using tangible, graphic, and hybrid user interfaces
Constructing and Role-Playing Student Avatars in a Simulation of Teaching Algebra for Diverse Learners
Publication | This study examines the design and implementation of a simulated teaching environment in Second Life for prospective teachers.
STEM Smart Brief: CTE Pathways to STEM Occupations
Publication | “Workers in STEM fields play a direct role in driving economic growth. Yet, because of how the STEM economy has been defined, policymakers have mainly focused on supporting workers with at least a bachelor’s degree, overlooking a strong…
Design Practices of Preservice Elementary Teachers in an Integrated Engineering and Literature Experience
Publication | Examining discourse of a team of pre-service teachers within an IEL engineering design challenge
What’s happening in the Quantified Self movement?
Uncovering and Eliciting Mathematical Perceptions in Linguistically Diverse Classrooms
Publication | One of the many challenges that teachers face in mathematics classrooms is determining how much of the verbal and written explanations help students accomplish instructional goals. The challenge is greater in linguistically diverse classrooms…
Preparing new science teachers for high-need schools
Publication | In 2012, the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) in New York City launched the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Urban Residency Program. Developing a teacher preparation program from scratch is a tall order, and the museum is learning a…
Professional Development Aligned with AP Chemistry Curriculum: Promoting Science Practices and Facilitating Enduring Conceptual Understanding
City Digits: Developing Socially-Grounded Data Literacy Using Digital Tools
How can museums help teachers with the NGSS?
Publication | This article describes the role of museums in supporting schools and teachers in addressing the demands of the NGSS.
Exploring young children’s multiple mathematical resources through action research
In Praise of Messy Data
Publication | Lessons from the search for alien worlds.
Sticky Ions: A Student-Centered Activity Using Magnetic Models to Explore the Dissolving of Ionic Compounds
An Investigation of Middle School Science Teachers and Students Use of Technology Inside and Outside of Classrooms: Considering whether digital natives are more technology savvy than their teachers
Staying Engaged: Knowledge and Research Needs in Student Engagement
Publication | In this article, we review knowledge about student engagement and look ahead to the future of study in this area.
ASPECT: Summary of Year 1 Work
Presentation | A 2-page summary of the ASPECT project, including project goals, approach, year one accomplishments, early findings, current efforts, and early impacts.