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, an assistant professor in 51��Ʒ��Ƶ’s School of Computing and Information, received nearly $1.3 million in funding from a National Science Foundation Racial Equity in STEM Education award. The grant will support her project, “Black Girls as Creators: An Intersectional Learning Ecosystem Toward Gendered Racial Equity in Artificial Intelligence Education.”

The grant was awarded to Stewart and her collaborators at Arizona State University and the University of Texas Arlington as well as 51��Ʒ��Ƶsburgh community partners Assemble and Manchester Youth Development Center.

This project will work with AI creators and Black girls ages 9-14 to expand the range of perspectives and voices in AI technology. The project will include after-school and summer camps for Black girls to design and create AI projects.

The NSF’s Racial Equity in STEM Education program supports research and practice projects that investigate how considerations of racial equity factor into the improvement of science, technology, engineering and mathematics education and workforce. The total intended award amount for Stewart and team is $1,299,715.

The research scientist in 51��Ʒ��Ƶ’s Learning Research and Development Center (LRDC) was also featured in “Black Voices in Computing,” an exhibit that seeks to recognize and uplift the achievements and stories of Black scholars in the field of computing and information. The focal point of the exhibit revolves around Stewart’s voice as she discusses inclusivity and diversity in the tech space, her research values and approach to teaching computing, and the activities that motivate and inspire her. The exhibit is on display in the lobby of the Information Sciences Building, 135 N Bellefield Ave., 51��Ʒ��Ƶsburgh, PA, 15213.

and see her speak about equity and engagement in the LRDC’s Learning Sciences Video Series below.