Asunda, Lowell receive Purdue Polytechnic HS collaborative grants
Two College of Education faculty members recently received Purdue Polytechnic High Schools Collaborative Research Project Grants with faculty in the Purdue Polytechnic Institute.
Paul Asunda (Co-PI), associate professor of Curriculum and Instruction in the College of Education and Technology Leadership and Innovation in the Purdue Polytechnic Institute, will collaborate with Vetria Byrd (PI), associate professor of Computer Graphics Technology in the Purdue Polytechnic Institute. The project, “Building STEM Capacity for Data Visualization, Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking”, will help prepare PPHS teachers in data visualization to better equip their students in data & computational thinking competences, broadening the pipeline of underserved/underrepresented students for data drive science/education opportunities & careers.
“This project will help ensure an adequate, well-trained workforce of scientists and engineers that can maintain leadership in science and technology, both now and into the future, as well as essential science and mathematics grounding for all,” Asunda said. “We anticipate this project will help ensure an adequate, well-trained workforce of scientists and engineers that can maintain leadership in science and technology, both now and into the future, as well as essential science and mathematics grounding for all.”
Co-PIs Victoria Lowell, clinical associate professor of Learning Design and Technology in the College’s Department of Curriculum and Instruction, and Tianyi Li, assistant professor in the Purdue Polytechnic Institute’s Department of Computer and Information Technology, will collaborate on their project, ”Bringing Authentic Exposure of Programming Experience to High School Students with Service Learning.”
“The overall objective of this research is to enhance programming education for underserved high school students through the engagement of local communities and provide real-world problem-solving experiences,” say Li and Lowell. “Our approach is to identify service-learning opportunities, develop a pilot program to train students, provide service-learning opportunities, mentorship, and networking to help students navigate the college application process and connect with potential employers.”
“Our reviewers from the College of Education, the Purdue Polytechnic Institute and Purdue Polytechnic High Schools are very excited about these projects,” said Wayne E. Wright, Associate Dean for Research, Graduate Programs and Faculty Development in the College. “These collaborative projects will bring together Purdue faculty, graduate students, and teachers from PPHS to provide valuable educational opportunities for the high school students in computer programming, data analytics, and data visualization, with real world applications. The research resulting from these projects will make valuable contributions on the impact of innovative technology education at the secondary school level.”
Purdue University’s College of Education, the Purdue Polytechnic Institute and Purdue University Online are partnering to co-fund collaborative research projects at three campuses of the Purdue Polytechnic High Schools as the PPHS Collaborative Research Projects Initiative.
Sources: Paul Asunda pasunda@purdue.edu; and Victoria Lowell vllowell@purdue.edu
Website: Purdue Polytechnic High Schools