Waterloo, Iowa
Waterloo, Iowa
Virtual Reality Technology Institute / Waterloo Career Center Work-Based Learning Project
The long-standing inequities and unequal opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) continues to be a major challenge nationwide and similarly in Waterloo, Iowa. Specifically, gender, racially, and linguistically diverse individuals in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) workforce remains a significant problem and contributes to unequal opportunities, outcomes, and whole child, whole community, and whole workforce outcomes.
What is this Project About?
The purpose of this project is to afford knowledge-building and hands-on experiential opportunities to Waterloo middle and high school students who are often excluded from opportunities to explore the STEM field. This project focuses on individuals who identify as female, a racial/ethnic minority (identify as Black or Latinx), and/or a language minority (speak Spanish as a first language) in middle and high school in Waterloo, Iowa
Who is Involved in this Project?
Students, teachers, school leaders, parents, researchers, practitioners, and university and national business partners and experts
What are we trying to accomplish?
We are trying to fill a gap in the STEM workforce, which has long lacked racial, gender, and language minority individuals in K-12 and later the adults they become
How long will it last?
This project is ongoing
Are there resources created for or derived from this project?
Yes.
We currently have video recorded modules derived from the 2021 Virtual Reality Technology Summer Institute
Are there any reports from this project?
Reports are forthcoming
Are there any Infographics from this project?
Reports are forthcoming
Who has funded this project?
Funding is pending
If you are interested in getting involved, who should you contact?
Building Racially and Culturally Competent Teacher Workforce Using Virtual Reality Technology
The racial and cultural mismatch between teachers and students is one factor that contributes to inequalities in educational outcomes. Additionally, many teachers hold racial biases, and engage in racial and language microaggressions, which are harmful to students, their learning opportunities, and their overall well-being. Empirical evidence shows that teaching practices based on culturally responsive experiences and practices benefit educational experiences and outcomes for all students and particularly for those from racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds
What is this Project About?
The purpose of the Virtual Reality Pilot Project is to design, refine, and evaluate a transformative learning method based on Immersive Virtual Reality Technology (IVRT) for enhancing racial and cultural competence, cultural humility, and empathy in pre-service and in-service teachers. We are building a prototype so that users can have an immersive virtual reality experience (a classroom scene through the lens of specific characters in a classroom setting)
Who is Involved in this Project?
Waterloo students, teachers, school leaders, parents, researchers, practitioners, and university and national business partners and experts
What are we trying to accomplish?
Reduce inequalities often observed in educational and whole-child outcomes in K-12 schools
Increase pre-service and in-service teachers’ racial and cultural competence to Increase or enhance whole school culturally responsiveness and climate
How long will it last?
This is a long-term project which will last at least three years
Are there resources created for or derived from this project?
There will be a prototype that will be available for use in other school districts
Are there any reports from this project?
Not at this time
Are there any Infographics from this project?
Not at this time
Who has funded this project?
Funding is pending
If you are interested in getting involved, who should you contact?
Alex Joens
Waterloo Career Center
Fit Families Project
Parents' knowledge of stimulating motor skills in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is crucial for these children's lifelong development. The lack of availability of this specific knowledge contributes to delays in the physical growth & overall well-being of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
What is this Project About?
The purpose of the Fit Families project is to project provide a twelve-week virtual course to teach parents of children between the ages of 4-12 in the Waterloo and Cedar Rapids Community School Districts how to stimulate physical activity and importantly fundamental motor skills in their kids
Who is Involved in this Project?
Students, teachers, school leaders, parents, researchers, practitioners, and university and national business partners and experts
What are we trying to accomplish?
We want to better understand the short- and long-term effectiveness of a parent-led program to increase physical activity and importantly fundamental motor skills in their children.
How long will it last?
This is a one-year project
Are there resources created for or derived from this project?
Participating parents and families will receive exercise equipment that they can keep after the project is over
Videos will be available for parents and families to use free of change after the project is over
Are there any reports from this project?
Not at this time
Are there any Infographics from this project?
Not at this time
Who has funded this project?
University of Northern Iowa