Thursday, November 21, 2024
11/21/2024
Project Summary/Narrative Sonic Math Fundamentals to improve STEM skills for students with vision impairments. Research shows that children can, and should, engage in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning, even in the earliest years of life. Mathematics is often the underpinning of the other STEM disciplines because it serves as a language for science, engineering, and technology. The visual nature of mathematics results in students who are blind or have low vision (BLV) performing extraordinarily low in STEM. Even simple STEM concepts such as addition and subtraction can be challenging for BLV children because these concepts require understanding of the number line, a spatial concept. Hence, students who are visually impaired are often denied the opportunity to pursue STEM-related careers because they have not fully developed the pre-requisite skills that allow them to compete alongside their sighted peers. In turn, society is denied the benefits that a diverse workforce could bring to all facets of STEM employment. While Interactive Digital Media (IDM), such as tablet-based math game apps, are commonly and effectively used to improve STEM for sighted children, they are visual in nature. The learning materials developed for these tools are rarely accessible to BLV students. ObjectiveEd’s long-term goal is to develop materials that will allow BLV students to use IDM effectively. In turn this will allow BLV students to have the option to pursue a STEM education path and career, resulting in increased diversity in the STEM fields. This SBIR project has three aims for Phase 1: Aim 1: Define requirements and develop game specification for early math skills based on Common Core State Standards (CCSS) by consulting with a variety of STEM-focused teachers, math curriculum experts and university researchers specializing in the education of students with visual impairments. Aim 2: Create two prototype skill-building math games for BLV students. The games will be accessible using both tactile and sonic feedback, hence its name: Sonic Math Fundamentals. Students can use the apps in both in-classroom and out-of- classroom settings. Teachers will be able to monitor each student’s progress in mastering skills remotely, using a web- based dashboard. Aim 3: Evaluate the digital game prototype for BLV students’ engagement and increased math skills. Evaluation will involve collecting data through pre- and post-game assessments using a CCSS toolkit, game-play analytics including correct vs. incorrect scores, and structured interviews of teachers and students. Study Sample: We will recruit 15 BLV students enrolled pre-kindergarten or kindergarten classes. According to teacher report, the students will not have in mastered shape identification or the number line concept. In our recruitment we will seek to recruit students from different ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds balancing for gender and level of visual impairment. Sonic Math Fundamentals aligns with an education objective of this Funding Opportunity Announcement, as it addresses student STEM career choice starting with pre-kindergarten and the research objective, as it develops new education products that will advance STEM-based gaming for an underserved student population.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
