ICSRC

The Institute for Connecting Science Research to the Classroom (ICSRC), founded in 1996, provides opportunities for researchers at Virginia Tech to collaborate with K-12 teachers in making the research process an integral part of the pre-college learning experience. Housed in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, ICSRC scans research in STEM disciplines of the sciences, technology, engineering and mathematics for ways to involve K-12 teachers and students. Student involvement takes many forms from simulating aspects of a given research project, to serving as field scientists in data collection, to designing original investigations.

What We Do
In an effort to enrich teaching and learning experiences in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, the Institute for Connecting Science Research to the Classroom (ICSRC) provides three types of services: (1) brokers collaborations between university researchers and elementary, middle and high school teachers; (2) assists the collaborative teams in translating research into learning applications that can be an integral part of the pre-college curricula; and (3) disseminates the new learning applications via professional development for teachers while also assisting school leaders in managing the technologies needed to support those new learning applications.

Participating Colleges
Agriculture & Life Sciences
Architecture & Urban Studies
Engineering
Liberal Arts and Human Sciences
Natural Resources
Science
Veterinary Medicine

Distinctions
• Designated headquarters of the National Consortium for Connecting Science Research to the Classroom
• Received the Blue Ridge PBS McGlothlin Award for Excellence in Teaching: project leader of Weatherline: An Online Meteorology Course
• Received the American Association of University Women Outstanding Project Award and the Discover Life in America First Place Award: project leader of the Bermuda Anuran Research Project (collaborative research for high school students)
• Named Signature Research Project by the Weinberg Center of the Living Classrooms Foundation: project leaders of Nitrate Net: Research in the Airshed/Watershed of Chesapeake Bay (collaborative research for middle school students)
• Received the National Wildlife Federation Schoolyard Habitat Award and the Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries Outstanding Projects Award: project leader for WildlifeMapping (collaborative research for elementary students)