A 5 year (2009-2014) grant from the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Discovery Research K-12 (DR-K12) (Grant #918618) program that seeks to answer the question: "What effects do robotics, engineering design, and problem-based inquiry science have on student learning and academic engagement in 8th grade physical science classes?"

                                                       What are the goals of SLIDER?

• Design and implement a problem-based robotics curriculum as a context for 8th graders to learn physics and reasoning skills, and as a way to increase student engagement, motivation, aptitude, creativity and STEM interest.
• Conduct research to determine the effectiveness of the program across all curriculum development parameters.
• Determine how students engage the material across ethnic, socio- cultural, gender and geographic (rural, urban, and suburban) lines.
• Measure the “staying power” of the experience as students move from middle to high school.

                                             What are the curriculum components of SLIDER?

• Aligns with NGSS Disciplinary Core Ideas, Cross Cutting Concepts, and Practices
• Uses engineering design scenarios to engage and motivate students 
• Necessitates scientific argumentation to develop ideas and make decisions
• Features LEGO Mindstorm Kits to drive design and engagement
• Emphasizes where science and engineering align during problem solving