A team of computer science and math professors at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute has been awarded $1.5 million by the National Science Foundation to develop a computerized science tutoring system for middle school students.
The system is based on the ASSISTments system developed by professors Neil Heffernan and Janice Gobert to help students develop a deeper understanding of mathematics. Like ASSISTments, the science system will track student progress and guide students by breaking tasks into steps.
The system is an “intelligent tutor” that can tailor help for students that need it, and can help teachers adjust class content in order to be more productive.
Professors Carolina Ruiz and Ryun Kim are also working on the new science system. The NSF award will be spread over five years, and as with the mathematics system, students at Worcester public schools will use the sytem throughout its development.
