# Iterative Design to Engage All (IDEA) Learners: A teacher-scientist collaboration to feature biomedical research and engage diverse high school students

> **NIH NIH R25** · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · 2021 · $269,674

## Abstract

Iterative Design to Engage All Learners
ABSTRACT
 In 2016, high levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were discovered in the Cape Fear
River in eastern North Carolina (NC), part of NC's largest watershed and drinking water supply for over 1 million
people. More recently, PFAS were detected in central NC, in the Haw River, which supplies drinking water for
Pittsboro, NC, and in Jordan Lake, a recreational reservoir that also provides drinking water for several cities in
the Research Triangle area. Although PFAS contamination has been detected in 49 states, biomedical
researchers in NC are leading the way nationally in assessing the extent of PFAS contamination in waterways
and air and in conducting studies on the effects of PFAS on human and ecosystem health. These chemicals
have been used since the 1950s in a wide range of consumer products and have been found in the blood of
people and animals worldwide. Research suggests that PFAS are harmful to human and animal health, with
documented immune system impacts that may influence individual susceptibility to COVID-19. Using cutting-
edge, interdisciplinary research on PFAS as a foundation, the Center for Public Engagement with Science in
the UNC Institute for the Environment, proposes Iterative Design to Engage All (IDEA) Learners, with a goal
of building the capacity of NC teachers, especially those in economically disadvantaged communities and those
impacted by PFAS contamination, to introduce current biomedical science and career opportunities to diverse
students. We will accomplish this goal through three specific aims: (1) Apply design thinking and design-based
research approaches to co-develop, implement, and revise standards-aligned curriculum units that feature
current research on the health effects of PFAS; (2) Increase teacher knowledge of current PFAS research and
self-efficacy for incorporating current biomedical science into classroom instruction; and (3) Support participating
teachers in promoting biomedical research careers to diverse students. Over five years, IDEA Learners will
result in two curriculum units with up to eight PFAS-focused lessons that have been designed for NGSS and
incorporate research-generated data and science and engineering practices relevant to biomedical research
careers. These units will include videos that highlight diverse environmental health sciences researchers.
Through long-duration professional development (PD), 48 teachers will deepen their content knowledge and
improve their self-efficacy, positioning them to increase URM and female students' interest in current biomedical
science instruction. An additional 48 teachers will participate in short-duration PD, and all teachers will have the
potential to reach over 30,000 students during the project period. The project will lead to enhanced capacity to
offer inclusive learning environments and improved support for URM, female, and LEP students, ultimately
cultivating a more diverse future...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10216619
- **Project number:** 1R25GM142060-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL
- **Principal Investigator:** Kathleen M Gray
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $269,674
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-05-20 → 2026-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10216619

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10216619, Iterative Design to Engage All (IDEA) Learners: A teacher-scientist collaboration to feature biomedical research and engage diverse high school students (1R25GM142060-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10216619. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*