Culturally-Responsive Affective-Focused Teaching (CRAFT)

Project CRAFT: Culturally Responsive Affective-Focused Teaching of Science and Mathematics aims to equip K-12 science and math teachers with culturally responsive, affective-focused practices and leadership skills to support STEM learning, affect, identities, and career interest for all students. A primary goal of the grant is to reduce disparities for groups that have been historically underrepresented in science and math.

In partnership with the University of Florida and the National Science Foundation, CRAFT will develop 48 secondary science and mathematics teachers as culturally responsive, affective-focused educators and leaders, and will impact more than 5,000 students in Florida.

Two cohorts of 24 K-12 science and mathematics teachers will each participate in a two-year blended learning experience that includes: four instructional modules, each occurring online in Canvas and in-person over 2-3 afternoon sessions; curriculum and assessment design; a 2-week summer STEM Empowerment Program; teacher leadership training; and an opportunity for teachers to conduct their own classroom research and present findings in the CRAFT Teacher Inquiry Symposium. The CRAFT program leads to 12-credits of graduate level coursework at the University of Florida and a certificate in Teacher Leadership from the College of Education.

CRAFT will transform teachers’ practices and leadership skills; increase their students’ science and mathematics achievement, career interest, and identities; produce open-access resources for supporting culturally responsive, affective-focused teaching; and develop a theory of change for teacher professional growth.