Ron Fried

SRI International’s Center for Technology in Learning, with support from the Verizon Education Foundation, developed this research brief as part of a two year evaluation of the 2016 Verizon Innovative Learning (VIL) Program. The goals of the VIL Program are to increase minority, male, middle school students’ problem solving skills, technology proficiency, and interest in STEM subjects and careers. This brief summarizes key findings from survey and assessment results collected during the 2016 summer program at twelve minority serving institutions (MSUs) between June and August of 2016. A description of the highlights, challenges and lessons learned during the summer are also provided. The aim of this research is to understand the experiences of participating minority, middle school male students by giving voice to the perspectives of participating stakeholders (e.g., students, educators, mentors, parents and administrators).