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REVIEW:
What is the intellectual merit of the proposed activity?
The PI proposes an exploratory Science Teams Instilling Maturity and
Innovative Thinking in Students (STIMITS) program that intends to
increase the quality and quantity of grades 3-12 students in physics.
Strengths
This project will play key role in:
(1) Engaging grades 3-12 students in physics through First Lego
League competitions. The PI suggests that this activity may increase
students' interest in physics and other STEM disciplines just as
competitions in sports (i.e., football) have cultivated interests in the
pupils.
(2) Involving Central Alabama Community College students as Science
Team coaches and assistants to teachers in teaching physics modules is
commendable.
The PI has experience working with K-12 students through the NSF supported STEM Camp robotics program.
Weaknesses
This proposal is terse, barely 5 pages. For the results from prior
NSF support the PI writes an incomplete sentence "The PI previously
served as PI for a successful" No description of results is provided.
Therefore, there is no base to review the impact of the prior work.
Moreover, the PI gives reference to his website for details. This
information should be included in the proposal since he has up to 15
pages. It is not clear what skills students will learn. In the
activities section the PI indicates that he proposes to adopt two third
grade classes and conduct an activity with each group every other week
each semester. However, details of the activities are missing.
What are the broader impacts of the proposed activity?
Strengths
The PI has experience in engaging K-12 students in science via the STEM Camp robotics program.
Weaknesses
How many students will be impacted? Project description is missing
important information such as, what is the outcome of the prior NSF
support?
Summary Statement
Summary Statement:
The main idea of the proposal is sound. However, it is missing
important details that describe the project and its broader impacts.
Explicit information about the science activities including expected
outcomes would strengthen this proposal.
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