Project Grant 2509524

This $1,302,522 federal Project Grant award from the National Science Foundation's STEM Education (CFDA 47.076) program supports research into how secondary science teachers can better contextualize their instruction using either immersive field experiences or curated digital resources. The research team at Oregon State University will study how teachers incorporate what they learn from real-world science experiences into their classroom teaching, and whether online materials can provide similar benefits. The project aims to improve access to high-quality instructional supports, especially for teachers who cannot attend traditional field-based learning. Key products will include new curriculum materials, professional learning models, and a classroom observation tool to study how teachers make science content more relevant and meaningful for students. The project will directly support over 60 teachers and 4,000 students in Florida and Oregon, while also providing open-access tools and resources for broader use. This work will lead to a deeper understanding of how teacher experiences with authentic science contexts can translate into more rigorous science instruction, benefiting science teachers across the U.S.