What does IN-STEP stand for?

Interdisciplinary iNcubation STEM design challenges through community Engagement with academic and industry Professionals.

What is INSTEP?

The IN-STEP project is a three-year initiative that prepares urban high school students for advanced STEM pathways by combining Learner-Centered Teaching (LCT) and Design Thinking (DT). Through the Incubation Design Challenge (IDC) framework, students address local food insecurity by transforming their neighborhoods into active STEM learning environments. By integrating physical computing, micro:bit sensors, and precision agriculture, youth explore real-world community food system problems and develop scalable models for urban sustainability.

The 4-Stage IDC Process

• 1. Community Needs Assessment & Problem Posing: Students ground engineering challenges in local contexts, identifying logistical constraints like transit gaps and food deserts to define authentic problem statements.

• 2. Exploring Options & Data Normalization: Qualitative observations transition into empirical research, where students build a unified Community Food Desert Index (FDI) using calibrated scoring rubrics.

• 3. Solving Through Data-Driven Solutions: Students build, program, and deploy micro:bit-driven IoT hardware (such as moisture sensors) to create automated, 24/7 environmental monitoring and fresh food production systems.

• 4. Evaluating & Improving the Process: Continuous multi-sensor data logging and iterative redesign allow students to deliver data-backed technical pitches and scalable agricultural models for STEM-certified schools.

Impact & Collaboration

We are currently partnering with five urban high schools, including Purdue Polytechnic High School campuses, Decatur Central High School, and Chicago High School for AgriSciences. Our team consists of experts in educational research, design thinking, and teacher professional development.