Design IT Studio

Fort Worth Museum Of Science And History, Fort Worth TX

Investigators

Abstract

The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History promotes fluency in information technology through self-directed design experiences for 160 urban minority and underserved students in middle school. Each student is engaged in at least 180 hours of creative skill building experiences with information technologies in a wide range of scientific contexts. As part of the project, four design studios are installed--one at the museum, two at Boys and Girls Clubs and one at the Applied Learning Academy, a magnet middle school. Each of these organizations will recruit their own students. A blueprint for design, IT studios and a one-year basic skills curriculum are developed, evaluated and disseminated as part of the effort. Engineers from area industries participate in a one-week workshop to learn how to serve as mentors. Parents are engaged in special activities to support the youth.