about itest lrc
What is the NSF ITEST Program?
The Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST)* program (read Adobe Acrobat file about the program) was established by the National Science Foundation in direct response to the concern about shortages of information technology workers in the United States. The ITEST program funds projects that provide opportunities for both school-age children and teachers to build the skills and knowledge needed to advance their study and to function and contribute in a technologically rich society. The ITEST program also funds a National Learning Resource Center to support, synthesize and disseminate the learning from the program to a wider audience.
*Formerly: Information Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST)
Why did NSF fund a National Learning Resource Center for the ITEST Program?
The National ITEST Learning Resource Center at Education Development Center (EDC) collaborates with ITEST Projects across the United States to achieve program goals, weave together promising practices and leverage their combined achievements into new knowledge. The results will inform and guide formal and informal educators in planning, implementing and evaluating IT enriched Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) initiatives. Meet the ITEST LRC Staff.
What does the National Learning Resource Center Do?
- uses collaboration and support opportunities to connect youth-based and comprehensive ITEST projects and to leverage lessons learned into new knowledge that can be shared nationally
- tightens the research/practice cycle and promotes data-based decision-making
- creates a national presence for the ITEST program as a primary resource for learning about, experiencing and using IT in STEM initiatives (K-post secondary school and workforce development)
- supports ITEST Projects as they build the capacity of their participants to use technology as a tool for learning and working and lead others to do the same anchor link (back to top of page image
How does the Resource Center work with ITEST Projects?
- synthesizes, designs and conducts research to leverage lessons learned, and to describe and quantify the successes of the ITEST Program
- helps to build a community of practice through collaboration with individual ITEST Projects, convenes meetings that bring together the Projects and their stakeholders, and facilitates cross-project initiatives
- disseminates the knowledge generated through a coordinated national ITEST research agenda
- creates a solid foundation for future ITEST work by building both the knowledge base and the infrastructure to support future IT enriched STEM initiatives anchor link (back to top of page image
What Expertise does EDC bring to the National Learning Resource Center?
The staff of the Learning Resource Center has extensive experience working at the intersection of formal and informal learning and looking at the developmental process of lifelong learning. EDC has a long and successful history of building collaboration among partners, incorporating principals of equity and diversity into education, and working with IT skill development initiatives in the U.S. and internationally. The ITEST Learning Resource Center draws upon an extensive set of people and organizations as advisors and partners to support the work of the projects and to assist in dissemination to the field. Participants will include field-based specialists in STEM/IT education, professional development, informal science education, research, equity and diversity, cross-sector partnerships, and curriculum development. The virtual team led by ITEST Center staff provides comprehensive support to ITEST Projects, reduces the separation between formal and informal STEM/IT learning and helps to ensure that each ITEST project meets its goals.
- To use technical assistance (TA) opportunities to connect youth-based and comprehensive ITEST projects, and to leverage lessons learned into new knowledge that can be shared nationally.
- To tighten the research/practice cycle and promote data-based decision-making.
- To create a national presence for the ITEST Learning Resource Center as a primary resource for learning about, experiencing and using IT in STEM initiatives (K-post secondary school and workforce development).
- To build the capacity of the projects to use technology as a tool for learning and working, and to develop their capacity to lead others to do the same.
Meet the ITEST LRC Staff
