Empowering Abilities: Increasing Representation of Students with Disabilities in the STEM Field
Project Overview
The ExploreSTEM Summer Camps 2023 effectively harnessed generative AI and other advanced technologies to provide inclusive STEM education for students aged 14 to 22 with disabilities. Focusing on key domains such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Computational Engineering, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Augmented/Virtual Reality (AR/VR), the program integrated informative presentations, interactive activities, and hands-on experiences to enhance engagement and foster a deeper understanding of these fields. Through innovative pedagogical approaches, the initiative aimed to empower participants by encouraging exploration of STEM pathways, thereby positively impacting their personal and academic growth. Despite challenges like communication barriers and ensuring full participation, the camp succeeded in promoting a strong interest in STEM among students, demonstrating the potential of generative AI and inclusive educational practices to transform learning experiences and outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
Key Applications
ExploreSTEM Summer Camp focusing on AI and Engineering Technologies
Context: Summer camp for students aged 14 to 22 with disabilities, incorporating a variety of AI and engineering technologies through immersive and hands-on activities.
Implementation: The camp included presentations on AI applications, hands-on projects such as building robotic hands, programming Dash robots, and utilizing Oculus Go headsets for immersive AR/VR experiences. Activities were designed to engage students with various engineering concepts through interactive learning.
Outcomes: Increased understanding of computational and AI concepts, enhanced enthusiasm for technology, improved programming and robotics skills, and increased student collaboration. The use of immersive technology fostered creativity and problem-solving among participants.
Challenges: Some students faced difficulties with participation and required personalized assistance. Behavior management issues arose with students needing additional attention, and there were initial communication barriers along with the need for accommodations for diverse learning needs.
Implementation Barriers
Communication Barrier
Initial hesitance in participation and interaction among students.
Proposed Solutions: Incorporated icebreakers and interactive polls to enhance communication and engagement.
Behavior Management
Disruptive behavior from some students requiring additional attention, necessitating structured behavior management.
Proposed Solutions: Implementation of structured behavior management guidelines and training for staff to maintain discipline.
Accessibility Accommodations
Students with different learning needs required personalized support and accommodations, including tailored activities and assessments.
Proposed Solutions: Tailored activities and assessments to accommodate diverse learning styles and needs.
Project Team
Esperanza Moreno
Researcher
Piyush Kumar
Researcher
Richard O Adansi
Researcher
Dorothy Moreno
Researcher
Demy Rodriguez
Researcher
Raul Baez Ramirez
Researcher
Audrey R Kapsa
Researcher
Arturo Rodriguez
Researcher
Neelam Agarwal
Researcher
Vinod Kumar
Researcher
Beverley A Calvo
Researcher
Vivek Tandon
Researcher
Contact Information
For information about the paper, please contact the authors.
Authors: Esperanza Moreno, Piyush Kumar, Richard O Adansi, Dorothy Moreno, Demy Rodriguez, Raul Baez Ramirez, Audrey R Kapsa, Arturo Rodriguez, Neelam Agarwal, Vinod Kumar, Beverley A Calvo, Vivek Tandon
Source Publication: View Original PaperLink opens in a new window
Project Contact: Dr. Jianhua Yang
LLM Model Version: gpt-4o-mini-2024-07-18
Analysis Provider: Openai