NSF Arecibo Center for STEM Education, Computing, and Community Engagement

University Of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore MD

Investigators

Abstract

This award supports the establishment of a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and research center at the site of the historic Arecibo Observatory in Arecibo, Puerto Rico. The Arecibo Center for Science Education, Computing, and Community Engagement (Arecibo C3) will integrate science (ciencia), computing (computación), and community (comunidad) and serve as a collaborative and interdisciplinary hub for STEM discovery and exploration. The primary goals of the Center include: (1) advancement of STEM education, learning, and teaching; (2) support of fundamental and applied STEM and STEM education research; (3) increase STEM workforce development opportunities; and (4) building and strengthening STEM partnerships and collaborations. Arecibo C3 builds on existing programs established at the site by previous NSF initiatives and creates new STEM education, research, and informal learning opportunities for a wide range of audiences. Interactive exhibitions, interpretive displays, cyber-enabled learning and engagement platforms complement cutting-edge STEM training laboratories, field experiences, STEM-based educational programs, and community-based events. Arecibo C3 programs support NSF priorities for a modern STEM workforce that ensures U.S. global leadership in science and engineering research and innovation. Led by a multidisciplinary team of scholars and practitioners from across the country, Arecibo C3 is poised to serve as a catalyst for increased engagement in a broad range of STEM disciplines, innovative STEM education research, and workforce development initiatives for students, teachers, researchers, and the public within and outside of Puerto Rico. STEM education research strands led by Arecibo C3 researchers will work to maximize the impact of multisensory teaching strategies in secondary and post-secondary education and inquiry-based teaching approaches that increase student persistence in STEM. Investigations will also explore innovative approaches for learning in informal contexts. A DNA Learning Center will support the development of skills for a modern biotechnology workforce. Computational and data science courses and workshops will support literacy and engagement with artificial intelligence. The Center will also host a series of conferences and workshops to bring together researchers, educators, policymakers, industry representatives, and other stakeholders to address pressing topics and workforce needs, with a focus on translational research that brings the benefits of STEM to the public. A pilot fellowship program will be developed to promote collaborative initiatives and communities of STEM learning and practice. Arecibo C3 is a collaboration of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras, and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Ultimately, Arecibo C3 is envisioned as a global STEM enterprise and a living laboratory for multidisciplinary and innovative experiential STEM research and education for individuals of all ages and interests. ---------------------------------------------- This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.