Florida State University (FSU) researchers have received around $600,000 grant from the NSF (National Science Foundation) to examine teaching practices for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) using mixed reality.

Fengfeng Ke, who is the Professor of instructional systems and learning technologies at FSU, is the principal investigator for the project. Fengfeng Ke stated that the funds would be used to solve challenges in the training of teachers involved in STEM education. 

“There are two major issues that affect the preparation of STEM teachers: accessible and scalable practicum experiences and the lack of interdisciplinary STEM experiences in teacher preparation programs.” – Fengfeng Ke. 

To discuss these problems, the research team will develop and study a multiplayer simulation-based open-source learning platform for preservice science, technology, engineering, and math teachers. 

“This project will contribute an accessible tool and an innovative method for promoting the learning of STEM teaching as knowledge in action. Preservice teachers will be able to experience interdisciplinary collaboration in co-teaching and co-designing STEM instructions in a group of 3D-immersive teaching simulations.” – Fengfeng Ke.

The grant is funded by the ‘Improving Undergraduate STEM Education: Education and Human Resources’ program, which looks to promote transformative and creative approaches to producing and using new knowledge about STEM teaching and learning.

The three-year program will include measures to examine and sharpen the intervention program as well as research its impact on the development of professional knowledge of teachers. It will also create a framework for a learning system to provide complete support for the growth of future STEM teachers.

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