Transforming STEM Education in K-12 using the Biological Interactive Outcomes Modular Environment (BIOME)

PROJECT SUMMARYThe United States is falling behind in Science and Math according to results from the Programme for International Student AssessmentPISAranking the US asth in Science andth in Mathematics out ofcountriesThese unfortunate statistics could be attributed to teacher hesitations in teaching math and scienceinability to excite student interest in STEM subjectsor an unclear real world application of these subjectsFLEXHIBIT aims to bring engagingrelatableand comprehensive Life Science software to Kclassrooms by developing the Biological Interactive Outcome Modular EnvironmentBIOMEFLEXHIBIT will accomplish this through the following Specific AimsSADesign and build the physical environment of the BIOME mobile cartWe will construct and test the BIOME mobile cart in house and will design the cart to promote active learningcollaborationand individualized learningAfter approval of the mobile cart designed on Solidworkswe will build the BIOME environment and test the construction for safetystabilitymobilitydurabilityand usabilitySADevelopoptimizeand write the BIOME softwareOur experienced curriculum developer will define the BIOME software s curriculum narrative which will be aligned with NGSS guidelinesThe curriculum developerscientific specialistand principal investigator will collaborate to ensure the software has accurate scientific principlesmodern teaching pedagogyand engaging narrativesThe curriculum will be validated and given to the software developersThe software developers will write an easy to use interface and incorporate the curriculum accordingly while consistently debugging the software to create a functional softwareSATest the technical feasibility and alpha usability of the BIOMEThe BIOME environmentcurriculumand software will be tested at the component level in Specific AimsandIn Specific Aimthe BIOME will be tested at the system level before sending the BIOME prototypes to classrooms for usability testingWe will collect feedback fromclassrooms fromlocal secondary schoolsSurveys will be given to teachers and students and will have multiple choice questions and freeform text assessing the overall enthusiasm for the BIOMEdifferentiation from existing technologyperceived effectivenessengagementinterest in subjectinterest in pursuing related health careers and coursesteamwork and collaborationand usabilityA successful outcome of this proposal will be positive user feedback on the prototype from students and teachersWith a successful outcome in Phase IFLEXHIBIT will continue development of additional curriculum Units and will gather data describing student learning with the BIOME to include in a Phase II NIH SBIR grant proposalWe expect a positive result in Phase I because of FLEXHIBIT s experience developing STEM curriculum and exhibits for pre college youth PROJECT NARRATIVE The US is falling behind in Mathematics and Science which may be a result of uninteresting teaching methodslack of interest or application of Science in daily lifeor teacher hesitations in teaching STEM curriculumTo bridge this gapInteractive Digital MediaIDMin the form of the Biological Interactive Outcomes Modular EnvironmentBIOMEwill incorporate game based and project based activities into an educational tool to engage and challenge students with real world Life Science scenarios to ignite their problem solving skillsteamworkconceptual reasoningand content understandingThe BIOME will not only engage studentsbut will be an effective learning tool because of its NGSS guidedinquiry basedcontext drivenadaptableinclusivereinforcingand relevant curriculum paired with a permissive learning environment