Project Grant 2524375

This $137,839 federal Project Grant award from the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) program aims to enhance high school computing education by providing easy-to-adopt, experiential educational labs. The collaborative research project, led by the Rochester Institute of Technology, Syracuse University, and the University of Rochester, will adapt and evaluate the Accessible Learning Labs (ALL) - a suite of experiential educational computing modules - for grades 9-12. Working with high school educators and Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP) providers across upstate New York, the project will modify and implement existing experiential labs covering topics like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and software development. By integrating engaging, real-world computing content into classrooms, the project seeks to empower students with the skills and confidence needed for STEM careers, while also contributing to research on how experiential teaching methods can improve engagement in these fields. The award, which runs from January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2027, supports the national interest by promoting the progress of science and broadening participation in computing through these educational tools.