NC State Education Awarded $1.7M in Research Funding November 2019-January 2020

Faculty and researchers at the NC State College of Education, including its Friday Institute for Educational Innovation, were awarded $1,728,206 to support five research projects from Nov. 1, 2019 to Jan. 23, 2020.

Enhancing Engagement and Conceptual Understanding of Fractions for Students with Learning Disabilities Using the Model Mathematics Education Curriculum

This $1,391,542 grant from the National Science Foundation will develop and test an innovative, integrated curriculum through a game for fourth through sixth grade students with learning disabilities. Through the game, students will engage in competitive and collaborative problem-solving challenges rooted in authentic STEM and information and communications technology (ICT) careers with the goal of increasing their conceptual knowledge of fractions and level of engagement. Jessica Hunt, Ph.D., associate professor of mathematics education and special education, is the project’s principal investigator.

Special Education Licensure Cohort Programs: Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools

This $166,094project funded by Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools will allow the NC State College of Education to offer an add-on licensure program in special education that is contextualized to the needs of teachers in that district. The program will give up to 25 teachers the opportunity to participate in the four-course, online program and undergo embedded field experiences while building their capacity to support students with mild to moderate disabilities in a Multi-Tiered Systems of Support framework. John Lee, Ph.D., professor of social studies education, is the project’s principal investigator. Jamie Pearson, Ph.D., assistant professor of special education, will serve as co-principal investigator.

Measuring the Impact of the Deliberative Discussion Model

This $92,606 grant from Street Law, Inc. will help train a cohort of 30 social studies teachers to use a deliberation strategy designed to engage students in productive civil conversations and study whether engaging students in these discussions changes their views on issues. Paula McAvoy, Ph.D., assistant professor of social studies education, is the project’s principal investigator.

Cultural Investigations and Digital Representations for Educators (CIDRE)

This $60,000 grant from the Triangle Community Foundation will allow more than a dozen K-12 educators from Wake, Durham, Orange and Chatham counties to travel to Germany as part of an immersive professional development program that infuses writing and technology into different cultural experiences. Through the program educators learn about digital tools that they can use to visualize cultural representation in their classrooms. Kevin Oliver, Ph.D., professor of learning design and technology, is the principal investigator on the project. Angela Wiseman, Ph.D., associate professor of literacy education, will serve as co-principal investigator.

Assessment of ASSIST Education Programs

This $17,964 grant from ASSIST is the latest funding in a multi-year grant to enable the continued assessment of the degree to which educational programs through the North Carolina State University Advanced Self Powered System of Sensors and Technologies (ASSIST) Center’s educational programs impact student achievement and attitudes towards STEM careers. Meghan Manfra, Ph.D., associate professor of social studies education, is the principal investigator on the project.