NEWTON, MA | September 8, 2010
Education Development Center, Inc. (EDC), has received more than $5.6 million from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to conduct research and develop programs to boost the learning and teaching of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
“This investment means more jobs and groundbreaking scientific research in Massachusetts. This is a shot in the arm for the cutting edge work being done by our state’s universities and research organizations,” said U.S. Senator John Kerry (D-MA) in a press release describing the grant awards for Massachusetts. The state has received more than $218 million in NSF grants since March.
“This new round of funding from the National Science Foundation allows EDC to continue its leadership in this area,” said President and CEO Luther Luedtke. “We understand how learners learn and what it takes to support learning in all settings. As one of the top recipients of NSF funding in Massachusetts, we are looking forward to making important contributions in these key fields.”
EDC’s Learning and Teaching Division received the NSF funds to pursue the following work:
Develop mathematical “habits of mind”
$3.12 million for a four-year research study of the impact of implementing CME Project, an NSF-funded high school curriculum that emphasizes mathematical “habits of mind,” the specialized ways of approaching mathematical problems and concepts that resemble those used by mathematicians.
Use large scientific databases
$260,000 for a project conducted by EDC and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography to find out how research on learning can inform the design of technology tools for students accessing large scientific databases. This project will develop design and research recommendations to support the use of large scientific databases by precollege students and teachers.
Create professional development for math teachers
$2.1 million for a four-year project to create and study a professional development model to help middle school mathematics teachers and special educators teach struggling math students, especially in the areas of fractions and rational numbers. The model will include online modules, professional learning communities, and face-to-face workshops.
Build skill sets for the workplace
$209,234 for building on the success and experience of EDC’s NSF-funded IT Across Careers (ITAC) and other STEM workforce development projects. EDC and its partners will develop and validate core skill sets used by scientists, technicians, engineers, and mathematicians in STEM workplaces.
NSF funds research and education across STEM fields by providing grants to colleges, universities, school systems, and other research organizations throughout the nation. For more information on NSF and on the latest recipients, please visit www.nsf.gov/awardsearch or www.research.gov.
Education Development Center, Inc. (EDC), is a global nonprofit organization that develops, delivers, and evaluates innovative programs to address some of the world’s most urgent challenges in education, health, and economic development. Visit www.edc.org.
