Project Grant 2418738

This $300,809 federal Project Grant awarded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under the STEM Education program (CFDA 47.076) will support research into integrating reconfigurable sensorimotor interfaces, or "teletangibles," into educational STEM simulations. The project aims to develop low-cost, reconfigurable, tangible haptic interfaces that can be used to support the learning of STEM concepts, particularly for students with blindness and low vision. Key activities include co-designing the teletangible devices with teachers and students, integrating the devices with existing PhET educational simulations, and conducting research to evaluate the impact on STEM learning for diverse learners. Sub-awards totaling $223,424 will support collaboration with the University of California, Berkeley and the University of Colorado on the technology development, research study design, and data analysis. This early-stage exploratory research project has an ultimate completion date of August 31, 2027.