2209C13070

Project Purpose: The Southern University "Reaching Across the Digital Divide" (SURADD) project aims to decrease the digital divide by forming a K-12 workforce pipeline to engage middle school teacher candidates, clinical educators, and university faculty and students with interactive virtual reality (VR) spaces and tools in innovative instruction efforts and workforce training.

Activities: The Southern University Reaching Across the Digital Divide (SURADD) project will conduct the following activities:

1. Develop a broadband-accessible digital infrastructure for mobile and stationary environments.
2. Develop virtual reality (VR)-infused curricula that meet national science standards for middle school students.
3. Train teacher candidates and clinical educators in the use of the VR environment and incorporating the infused curricula in the classroom.

Outcomes: As a result of implementing the project, the SURADD project will immerse undergraduate students and faculty, middle school students and teachers, and the local community in hands-on, inquiry-based teaching and learning experiences using high-quality digital (VR simulations, cave simulations, streaming/gaming) content through broadband accessible/IT gateways to provide digital skills building towards workforce capacity. SURADD will digitally transform education into an interactive space for strengthened STEAM teaching and learning using the animated video format. Through virtualization activities, project faculty and staff will provide equitable access to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) learning experiences for all students to interact with a variety of manipulatives in a safe and controlled virtual space to construct new knowledge and understanding.

Beneficiaries: The delivery of STEM/STEAM middle school content will benefit rural and underserved middle schools, teacher candidates, clinical educators, their students, and other local constituents in Southern University and Alcorn State University (SU/ASU) anchor communities through expanded broadband access and digital technology training. It intends to connect these innovative technologies and training opportunities to ensure the preparation of a more diverse and resilient STEM/STEAM workforce capable of navigating today's virtual infrastructure. The project will train teacher candidates and clinical educators to impact their classroom students. Rural schools within anchor communities will benefit from access to an onsite VR laboratory with VR headsets and stations.

Subrecipient Activities: Subrecipients for the SURADD project include Alcorn State University (ASU) and Louisiana Tech University (LA Tech). ASU will be responsible for student mentoring, training, collaborating with consortium partners, and facilitating summer STEM activities. LA Tech will be responsible for designing and supporting the pedagogical aspects of the curricular development/enhancement with VR and dissemination of findings and applications.

Southern University And A & M College

TO PROVIDE FEDERAL FUNDING TO ELIGIBLE RECIPIENTS IN ANCHOR COMMUNITIES: FOR THE PURCHASE OF BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS SERVICE OR ANY ELIGIBLE EQUIPMENT, OR TO HIRE AND TRAIN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PERSONNEL; TO FACILITATE EDUCATIONAL INSTRUCTION AND LEARNING, INCLUDING THROUGH REMOTE INSTRUCTION; TO OPERATE A MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISE (MBE); OR TO OPERATE A TAX-EXEMPT 501(C)(3) ORGANIZATION. TO DIRECTLY ADDRESS THE LACK OF BROADBAND ACCESS, CONNECTIVITY, ADOPTION AND EQUITY AT OUR NATION¿S HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES (HBCUS), TRIBAL COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES (TCUS), AND MINORITY-SERVING INSTITUTIONS (MSIS), AND IN THEIR SURROUNDING ANCHOR COMMUNITIES. TO FACILITATE EDUCATIONAL INSTRUCTION AND LEARNING, INCLUDING THROUGH REMOTE INSTRUCTION; AND TO CONSORTIA INCLUDING MBES OR TAX-EXEMPT 501(C)(3) ORGANIZATIONS TO OPERATE THAT MBE OR TAX-EXEMPT 501(C)(3) ORGANIZATION. TO SPUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR EMPLOYMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP BY BUILDING THE DIGITAL CAPACITY OF THE ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS AND FURTHERING BROADBAND ACCESS, ADOPTION, AND DIGITAL SKILLS WITHIN THOSE INSTITUTIONS AND IN THEIR SURROUNDING ANCHOR COMMUNITIES.

11.028 - Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) [DOC]

Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70807-5304 United States

Single Zip Code

Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program (NTIA-CMCPP-2021)

COVID-19 $6,227,200 (100%) percent of this Project Grant was funded by COVID-19 emergency acts including the CARES Act.
Amendment Since initial award the End Date has been extended from 11/30/24 to 11/30/25.