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Meeting Date:
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6/7/2024 - 7:00 PM
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Category:
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School and Community Relations
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Type:
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Info
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Subject:
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National Institutes of Health AIM-AHEAD Continuation Federal Grant
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ACPS 2025 Strategic Plan Goal:
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Goal 1: Systemic Alignment ACPS will build a culture of continuous improvement and design equitable systems for school and instructional improvement. Goal 2: Instructional Excellence ACPS will ensure that all students have access to and engagement with high-quality instruction. Goal 4: Strategic Resource Allocation ACPS will strategically provide differentiated resources and supports to schools and departments. Goal 5: Family and Community Engagement ACPS will ensure that all families and community members feel welcomed, respected, and valued.
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Funding Source or Fiscal Impact (where applicable)
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File Attachment:
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Agenda Item Summary:
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The National Institutes of Health (NIH) awarded two Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning Consortium to Advance Health Equity and Researcher Diversity (AIM-AHEAD) grants to Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) – in partnership with The George Washington University (GWU) and later, Virginia State University (VSU) – for pilot programming that encourages young girls from underrepresented communities to become more involved in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) as a career pathway, specifically a Health Sciences STEM pathway. In September 2022, a grant of $497,830 was awarded for ACPS’ pilot program and a continuation grant was awarded in March 2024 for $100,000. Current funding supports programming through September 2024. ACPS has been invited to reapply for this grant for $150,000 for another year of this pilot program.
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Background:
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The NIH AIM-AHEAD grants support ACPS after-school activities that use high-tech computers, iPads, and virtual and augmented reality equipment at Francis C. Hammond Middle School, George Washington Middle School, Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 School and Patrick Henry K-8 School. To that end, ACPS has used grant funding to acquire many new types of high-tech STEM equipment for student use including:
Complete Anatomy Augmented Reality (AR) software
360-degree Chemistry AR software
Solar-powered cars
Lego Robotics
Marty 2.0 programmable Robots
Class virtual reality goggles and lessons.
Grant funds have also supported professional development for middle school science teachers so that they can discover and plan which equipment and lessons could work best in their regular classrooms. Our after-School STEM club provides the time and support for teachers to investigate this equipment alongside their students.
In addition to the 116 students and seven teachers who have participated in our after-School STEM club in 2023-24, middle school science classes have also had the opportunity to explore the GWU Immersive Learning Center – thanks to the guidance of GWU professors as consultants and a full-time After-School STEM Coordinator Ms. Kelly Brockway.
NIH grant funding will also allow 15 ACPS students (10 middle school, five high school), and parent and teacher chaperones to attend a week-long summer STEM camp on campus at VSU. The middle school students will engage in activities ranging from 3D printing and augmented reality to design thinking. High school students from the Alexandria City High School (ACHS) Teachers for Tomorrow program will participate in VSU’s Gaining Real Opportunities with Students week-long teacher preparation residential program and learn about college academics, teaching careers and STEM careers. Both groups of students will have access to artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning at the university.
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Recommendation:
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The Superintendent recommends that the School Board review the National Institute of Health continuation grant information.
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Approvals:
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Recommended By:
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Signed By:
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Taneika Taylor Tukan - Executive Director
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Signed By:
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Julia Burgos - Chief of School and Community Relations
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Signed By:
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Dominic Turner - Chief Financial Officer
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Signed By:
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Dr. Melanie Kay-Wyatt - Superintendent
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