Share Paper: Examining the Effects of Digital Fabrication in Middle School: Comparing Gifted and Non-Gifted Students

  1. Vince Moore, Breckenridge ISD, United States
  2. Tandra Tyler-Wood, University of North Texas, United States
Wednesday, March 20 5:45 PM-7:00 PM Celebrity Ballroom 1&2

Abstract: A large-scale grant funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) utilizes digital fabrication tools and curriculum designed to lead students through the creation of American Invention Kits. This study explores the efficacy of the NSF’s grant project on gifted students from rural middle schools and the effect the project has on gifted students’ knowledge and affinity toward science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Students from two middles schools in rural areas of north-central Texas (N = 190) took part in the project. The students were divided among four subgroups: gifted-contrast (n = 12), gifted-treatment (n = 8), nongifted-contrast (n = ...