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INTRODUCTION

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  • We are a research practice partnership between Arizona State University (ASU) and the Neurodiversity Education Research Center (NERC).

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  • We co-design neurodiverse curriculum in STEAM education.

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  • We use Wearable Music Sensors to create embodied, cooperative learning experiences to support neurodiverse students' development of computational thinking (CT) concepts and workplace skills.

NSF Award #2122924

for CS4All Grant

WHO ARE WE?

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PROJECT GOALS!

  • Make neurodiversity a baseline when crafting computational education
  • Use experiential workshops, labs, and shows to extend beyond the classroom
  • Increase learning and employment opportunities for diverse learners
  • Mix STEAM education with computer science and the arts using music, performance, & expressive play

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WHAT IS

NEURODIVERSE EDUCATION WEARABLE MUSIC TECH?

  • NEWMT is an interdisciplinary collaboration of experts in higher education and community stakeholders to develop a suite of tools for collaborative, portable, mixed reality learning environments.

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  • This frees students and teachers from uninterrupted screen use and reintroduces spatial awareness and interaction wherever hybrid teaching methods are needed.

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PROJECT MILESTONES

  • The research team is scaling up our project with Teacher Fellow-led workshops. Teacher Fellows will introduce the co-designed curriculum during the workshops and the research team will support teacher implementation in their classrooms.

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  • The research team is also collaborating with employers who are interested in learning more about neurodivergent employee talent development and supporting neurodivergence in the workplace.�

Year1

  • Experienced teachers of neurodivergent middle school students (Teacher Fellows) worked alongside experts in computer science, media studies, and the arts to co-design wearable devices, music apps, and CT activities.

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  • Teacher Fellows piloted the various iterations in their classrooms and received feedback from students. Central to this work was the building, playing, and performing the digital wearable music tech.

Year2

  • Teacher Fellows and the ASU research team refined devices and apps while developing a set of four CT lesson kits. Each kit included a full lesson and ideas for extensions, expansions across content areas, and adaptations. Lessons also included notes on how to develop neurodiverse workplace skills.

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  • Teacher Fellows introduced lessons to teachers and middle school students through interactive demonstrations at a culminating event called Neurodiversity STEAM Fest, hosted at ASU's Tempe campus.

Year 3

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RESEARCH TEAM

Dr. Xin Wei Sha

ASU

Co-Principal Investigator

Dr. Mirka Koro

ASU

Co-Principal Investigator

Dr. Seth Thorn

ASU

Co-Principal Investigator

Dr. Margarita Pivovarova

ASU

Co-Principal Investigator

Dr. Corey Reutlinger

ASU

Project Coordinator

Dr. Ananí Vasquez

NERC

Education Research Officer

Kenneth Mims

NERC

Founder/Chief Executive Officer

Denise Amiot

Science Prep Academy

Director

Cintya Arcos

Science Prep Academy

Program Manager

Cole Mcleod

ASU

Research Specialist

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WORKSHOP FACILITATORS

Jessica Strouth

Science Prep Academy

Jasmine Cano

Cholla Schools

Jonathan Perrone

Arizona Educational Foundation

Kristin Kennedy

Sacaton Schools

Exie Weathers

Science Prep Academy