1. NASA SMD Exploration Connection (October 2017)
Programmatics
PI/Institution: Linda Elkins-Tanton / Arizona State University PI
Ariel Anbar / Arizona State University
Total Value: $10.2M Period of Performance: November October 2017
Summary Description: The NASA SMD Exploration Connection team has successfully expanded the Infiniscope program over the past year. The catalog of interactive, adaptive digital learning experiences (DLX) has increased from 1 DLX to 5 total DLX’s, demonstrating new capabilities like the inclusion of SMD partner visualizations in Eclipse Our first DLX, “Where are the small worlds?” has been successfully adapted for two types of new audiences. The nascent teaching network has quickly grown to exceed 500 educators. We’ve added new features to the portal for adoption, customization, endorsement, and metrics and started to build off our evaluation platform to begin investigating research questions.
Science Focus: Cross-cutting Audience(s): General Public;
Formal and Informal Education: Grades 5 - College
Region(s) Served: National audience Website(s) if any:
Current Partnerships
Plans in development
WGBH - Exploring technical solutions for distribution
JPL: Eyes - Building engines that easily talk to each other
ETS - Immersive Virtual Field Trips on Earth/Planetary processes
SMM - Discussing path for development of DLX’s for NISE-NET
Plans in discussion
Coordinating with Viotti, Hussey, Cline, Law, Connolly, & Nemiroff to organize an EdTech workshop as part of the November annual meeting.
Discussion with multiple groups about incorporating their digital assets into the Infiniscope Visualization library to promote the personalization and adaptivity of that media.
Team Members and Institutions
Arizona State University
Leadership Team
Lindy Elkins-Tanton (Departing PI)
Ariel Anbar (Incoming PI)
Joe Tamer
Sheri Klug Boonstra
Steve Semken
Chris Mead
Plus 11 members of the development team
Other Institutions
Dror Ben Naim, Smart Sparrow Inc.
Hilarie Davis, Evaluator, TLC Inc.

2. NASA Exploration Connection (November 2016) cont.
NASA Exploration Connection (October 2017)
Evaluator(s) Opportunities
The restructured SMD approach to science education:
- Allows us to develop teacher-tested, standards-aligned, digital learning experiences by incorporating adaptive learning around rich visualizations and simulations developed by NASA partners
- Allows us to leverage and combine with other Sci Act Collaborative teams to produce more value-added SMD Education Products (e.g., Eyes on the Solar System partnership).
- Allows for Sci Act partners who don't have access to new education technology to leverage our platform to expand content to their audiences or reach new audiences (e.g., Earth to Sky - National Parks Service).
NASA Exploration Connection (November 2016) cont.
Technology for Learning Consortium Inc (Hilarie Davis),
Internal Evaluator and Researcher, Chris Mead
Baseline Activities in second year:
Revised evaluation plan with entire team
Secured IRB approval at each testing site
Supported review of Eclipse 2017, Celestial Jukebox (Transits), The Mystery of Blacktail Canyon, and Red Rocks
Contributed to formalization of “education through exploration” design
Synthesized learner and educator feedback
Assessed learner outcomes from user testing
Reported outcomes to development team for possible revision
Risks/Areas of Concern Measurable Achievement
At the end of our first five years, we will have produced a science learning/sharing network as a platform for informal education. The platform will enable collaboration and distribution of at least 15 interactive and adaptive digital learning experiences that cut across SMD content and audiences. Several of these projects will be co-developed several different SMD partners.
Patchwork of filtering software employed by K-12 network administrators and challenges faced by teachers in getting new websites whitelisted by school IT may limit access to Infiniscope learning experiences;
Limited bandwidth for schools using WiFi to support these digital learning experiences as the number of wireless devices increases on a campus, particularly in underserved communities

3. NASA Exploration Connection (November 2017) cont.
Need(s) or Areas to Watch Updates/Changes
Need: The NASA SMD community doesn’t necessarily have a common, universal understanding of EdTech and how it can enhance their digital media with commonly used design practices and pedagogies. As a result, efficiency can be lost by simultaneous efforts to solve the same problems without effective communication.
We believe that the start of this conversation has already begun within the EdTech panel discussion steering committee consisting of Anbar, Hussey, Viotti, Cline, Law, Connolly, & Nemiroff; that it will continue during the annual face to face gathering; and that it will lead to larger discussions and shared best practices for the incorporation of personalized learning technology and pedagogy around NASA SMD digital resources.
Due to the selection of the Lindy Elkins-Tanton’s Psyche proposal as a Discovery Mission, the Principal Investigator role will transition to the Deputy PI, Ariel Anbar, also at ASU. Additionally, Co-I Erik Asphaug has left ASU and Co-I Meenakashi Wadwha is on medical leave following a serious automobile accident
New to the overall program plan is the creation of an advisory board of 30 educators to provide feedback to improve effectiveness of the Infiniscope educational products.
Our team participated in the revision of our Evaluation Plan with Hilarie Davis and Chris Mead which lead to a more defined process by which to focus our work and measure our impact.
Look Ahead Cross-Collaboration Status
We have learned a great deal about integration of partner created visualizations from the joint development of Eclipse 2017 with the JPL team. The lessons learned here in terms of technology, design, and distribution can be shared widely.
We are learning how to overcome barriers to distribution of interactive and adaptive digital media through collaboration with WGBH. The knowledge gained here can be shared throughout all teams.
We are having conversations with multiple SMD partners for identifying opportunities to apply lessons learned from above to other types of digital media within a personalized learning platform
(No more than 18 months)
Expand opportunities to personalize SMD partner media beyond the Eyes on the Solar System through our visualization library
Develop an iVFT with an SMD partner using their content.
Develop solutions for joint distribution of personalized learning experiences through distribution channels and educator networks
Continue to lead the conversation in collaboration with SMD partners regarding strategies for successful integration of NASA digital media within EdTech platforms that promote interactive and adaptive learning.