This past summer,
Intel and Society for Science & the Public won a joint grant for $150,000
in the fourth Digital
Media and Learning Competition,
held in conjunction with the Mozilla Foundation and supported by the MacArthur
Foundation. This 12-month grant is funding the development of badge systems
built around SSP’s premier high school science competitions, the Intel
International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel
ISEF) and the Intel Science Talent Search (Intel
STS).
The Open Badges
project is intended to help recognize skills and achievements that are gained
outside of the official school or work setting with the goal of improving
academic achievement, economic opportunity, civic engagement, and opportunities
for lifelong learning. These badges, while issued from different organizations
and for different achievements, are being designed as part of an interoperable
system that will provide verifiable, standard data that is technically
compatible across multiple platforms.
In December, the first set of Intel ISEF badges was issued. A subset of volunteers, judges, and students
(high school juniors) who participated in the Intel ISEF 2012 served as a beta test
group in preparation for the real-time launch of the program for the Intel STS
2013. Verified entrants, semifinalists, finalists, and top winners of the Intel
STS will receive the appropriate digital badge to reward their achievements in
independent scientific and engineering research.
“We believe that badging
is an excellent way in which we can recognize and better publicize the learning
and skills associated with conducting research as well as the invaluable
service of those that volunteer in support of young researchers,” said Michele
Glidden, Director of Science Education Programs. “Badging is an exciting
new frontier of sharing and validating all levels of learning, service and
achievement. SSP is excited to partner with Intel in leading the way.”
SSP’s future plans for this badging initiative include
issuing badges to Intel ISEF 2013 participants this spring, working with
SSP-affiliated fairs to determine how they might be able to have their students
participate in the program, and expanding categories that are eligible for
badging in order to further promote informal modes of education and provide
recognition and credentialing for out of class time achievements.
Badging is an exciting new frontier of talking about and confirming all levels of learning, support and success.
Posted by: Children Playgroup | 12/26/2012 at 11:23 PM