AFOSR STEM Funding In Action: The Kisailus Lab at the University of California, Irvine (UCI)

Advancing Bioinspiration through Creative Development in Education

Advancing Biological-inspiration for Creative Development in Education (ABCDE) is an innovative program designed to develop and adopt effective bio-inspired STEM modules that can supplement core K-12 math and science curriculum (for an example, see UCI Biomimicry of Mantis Shrimp). Supported by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, this program aims to bring together a cohort of experienced K-12 teachers and UCI researchers to collaborate, develop, and deploy research-based STEM modules for 4th-8th grade classrooms. Together, the team of educators will co-create educational resources using the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), the National Science Teaching Association Science Standards, and the 5E (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate) model of instruction, centering student equity throughout the development process. 

Interested in taking part? The ABCDE Fellows Institute starts with an in-person conference (March 7-8 2025), followed by a celebration of teaching (March 21, 2025) and virtual events. ABCDE Fellows will have the opportunity to contribute their valuable expertise in pedagogy to increase the quality, effectiveness, and relevance of the developed bio-based STEM modules. At the end of the program, ABCDE Fellows’ students will be invited to UCI’s “Design by Nature” end-of-the-year symposium (transportation will be provided, May 2025). After the ABCDE Fellows Institute, the modules created by the ABCDE Fellows will be made publicly available to all K-12 educators to enhance learning of abstract topics in their classroom and inspire students to engage in STEM. Click here to learn more!

Members of the ABCDE Team presented at the STEM Teacher Leadership Academy this past summer at the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.! The team shared their work with our cohort of 20 K-12 STEM Educators and had a chance to explore the Q?rius exhibit in the museum. We look forward to welcoming back this team for our 2025 Academy!