EDC and NYU Co-host NSF STEM Day Showcase on May 10

On May 10, EDC and New York University (NYU) will co-host a showcase of students’ engineering projects to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the National Science Foundation (NSF). Held for invited guests at NYU’s Silver Center for Arts and Sciences, the event will spotlight NSF-funded work that supports STEM learning and workforce development for both neurodivergent students in New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) and students nationwide.

EDC’s and NYU’s work is grounded in the belief that all students can benefit from engaging in hands-on, interest-based informal engineering learning programs focused on skills that are key to later career success. Our team has produced an effective approach and free online curricula that research shows supports all students in building engineering readiness skills. The event will feature two related initiatives:

IDEAS: Inventing, Designing, and Engineering for All Students (IDEAS) Maker Program: Created by a team from EDC, NYU, the New York Hall of Science, and SRI, working in collaboration with teachers and students from NYCPS, this project brought informal engineering design programs into NYCPS autism-inclusion schools and developed free online curricula and guides to help educators engage all students in hands-on STEM learning. Teachers and students from this program will lead activities at the NSF STEM Day event.

Making Mentors: Developed by a team from EDC, NYU, and the College of Staten Island, working in collaboration with NYCPS, this project pairs neurodivergent high school mentees and college mentors as they engage in hands-on, interest-based STEM projects. These mentors and mentees will share their work at the NSF STEM Day event.

Research indicates that these programs benefit young people. Specifically, the programs:

• Help all students understand the engineering design process
• Support all students’ problem-solving skills and collaboration with peers—key parts of both the engineering process and employability in all professions
• Build all students’ confidence in their ability to conceive of, plan, build, and complete interest-based STEM projects

“We are excited to be able to co-host this event that spotlights work that is so important for young people across the U.S. and the strength of our future workforce,” says EDC’s Wendy Martin, a national expert on STEM education and the principal investigator of the IDEAS and Making Mentors projects. “We look forward to sharing all of the amazing ways that NSF funding has enabled young people to engage in making, explore STEM careers, and connect with peers, mentors, and educators on STEM-focused, interest-based projects.”

“Both IDEAS and Making Mentors have been rooted in strength-based approaches that value the inherent talents and abilities of autistic students, autistic mentors, and autistic mentees,” says Kristie Patten, NYU professor and counselor to the president. “Our NSF STEM Day is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate their participation in the research process. Their co-design of the curriculum and implementation of Maker Clubs has yielded incredible projects with important outcomes for all students!”

During the showcase, youth who have participated in IDEAS and Making Mentors will demonstrate their STEM creations, which include Scratch animations, cell phone repair tips, and how to create 3D designs and prints. Event attendees will be invited to participate in a variety of hands-on activities—such as building with motors and LEDs and constructing 3D designs—that help young people explore STEM. Educators from NYCPS and NYU will facilitate the activities.

Since 1950, NSF has invested in ideas that reimagine what’s possible, accelerate progress, and propel a strong economy. From cell phones and semiconductors to 3D printing technology and medical breakthroughs, NSF fuels STEM innovation and industry in our country. Equally vital, NSF invests in our future innovators and inventors. Across the United States, NSF-funded STEM education projects help families, teachers, and informal STEM educators build STEM knowledge, spark interest in STEM careers, and ensure youth are future-ready.

Learn more about EDC’s STEM Education and Workforce Development initiatives.

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Award numbers 1614436, 1850289, and 2241350. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.