Bridging Expertise: Translation and Diffusion of Knowledge, Resources, and Practices in STEM Education

NSF Award Search · 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT · $377,795 · view on nsf.gov ↗

Abstract

This project investigates how educational knowledge, resources, and practices spread within and across online and in-person communities to improve teaching and learning in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). While evidence-based practices and tools often exist, they can fail to reach or influence educators and decision-makers. This project focuses on brokers, such as organizations and individuals that help move knowledge into broader use. By understanding how these brokers operate in both real-world and online social networks, the project seeks to improve how innovations are shared, adapted, and sustained across the U.S. education system. Ultimately, this research aims to support the design of more effective strategies to connect educational research with everyday practice, benefiting students, educators, and policymakers alike. To achieve these goals, the interdisciplinary team will use a mixed-methods research approach, combining social network analysis, machine learning, artificial intelligence, surveys, and interviews. It will examine how brokers navigate and shape multi-level networks—both micro-level (individual relationships) and meso-level (online networks)—to translate and spread evidence-based STEM education knowledge. The research will explore how these networks evolve, what kinds of structures make diffusion more successful, and which broker activities are most effective. Through analytical models, simulations, and field-based studies, th

Key facts

NSF award ID
2530458
Awardee
Regents of the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor (MI)
SAM.gov UEI
GNJ7BBP73WE9
PI
Anita Caduff
Primary program
01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
All programs
AI Education/Workforce Develop, Translational Research, STEM Learning & Learning Environments
Estimated total
$377,795
Funds obligated
$377,795
Transaction type
Standard Grant
Period
09/01/2025 → 08/31/2028