Professional Development: Virtual NSF ITEST Program Workshop
Wednesday, October 25, 2023 - 9:00am - Thursday, October 26, 2023 - 5:00pm
NSF ITEST Program Online Workshop for EPSCoR Jurisdictions
*** Our October 25-26 event at Oklahoma State University has moved online***
Registration is now open to participants from all EPSCoR Jurisdictions!
Join STELAR on October 25 & 26 as we host National Science Foundation (NSF) Program Officers for a virtual informational workshop designed to highlight NSF funding opportunities for STEM education research at the PreK-12 level!
During the event, NSF Program Officers will introduce the Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST) program. The virtual workshop provides attendees the opportunity to ask questions and discuss proposal concepts directly with NSF program officers.
This event is intended to raise awareness and increase the geographic diversity of the ITEST portfolio and will be tailored to those at organizations and institutions located within EPSCoR Jurisdictions.
About NSF’s ITEST Program: The National Science Foundation’s Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers ITEST Program supports applied research and development projects focused on increasing preK-12 students' interest in information and communication technology and STEM careers through innovative technology-based learning experiences. ITEST is responsive to societal needs and emerging areas of STEM and related careers. Emerging critical areas include, but not limited to, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cybersecurity, data science, environmental science, quantum information science and engineering, semiconductors, and microelectronics, etc.
STELAR functions as the resource center for the NSF ITEST program, supporting both grantees and those interested in developing an ITEST proposal. We provide in-person workshops, online proposal resources, and a self-paced proposal development course. Workshop participants will have access to online follow-up events supporting their proposal writing between now and August 2024.
Structure of the Workshop: This online workshop is designed to raise awareness and support those new to the ITEST program, specifically those located within EPSCoR Jurisdictions. It will consist of two days of programming:
Day 1: Wednesday, October 25, 11-3 pm ET
This session will feature informational presentations by NSF program officers representing ITEST. Attendees will learn about NSF’s goals and priorities and important program details. After a lunch break, attendees will be placed into smaller networking groups based on their identified needs. There they can collaborate on ideas and formulate questions for NSF Program Officers. Lastly, we will reconvene for an interactive Q&A segment with Program Officers.
Day 2: Thursday, October 26, 11-3 pm ET
This session will focus on the ITEST program proposal development process. Attendees will learn about NSF and STELAR resources designed to support the development of a competitive ITEST proposal. NSF program officers will be available to review initial concepts and address proposal-specific questions in preparation for the August 2024 solicitation. See below for instructions on how to share this information in advance.
Registration details:
Day 2 will feature a unique opportunity for you to discuss your proposal ideas with NSF program officers. Participants are highly encouraged to email their ideas and/or a 1–2-page concept paper to drlitest@nsf.gov in advance to receive personalized NSF feedback during the session. All submissions to NSF are fully confidential. To allow time to review, submissions must be sent to NSF by EOD on Friday, October 20.
While strongly encouraged, submission of ideas to NSF is not a requirement to participate in the feedback session. All are welcome to participate!
Register by visiting: https://go.edc.org/ITEST-Oct or scanning the QR code provided.
Registration will remain open through Monday, October 23.
Questions? Email the team at STELAR@EDC.ORG
www.stelar.edc.org|stelar@edc.org
