Current & Past Projects
CAST investigates solutions to the most critical questions across preK–12, Higher Ed, and workforce, including questions related to equity, access, and outcomes. Building on an award-winning history, we co-design transformative solutions, improvement strategies, implementation systems and practices, and tools for learning.
Current Projects
![An image of many speech bubbles depicting how to say 'Hello' in different languages.](/binaries/content/gallery/castm/our-work/sobratoproject-16x9.png/sobratoproject-16x9.png/aem%3Amedium)
Exploring the Intersections of UDL and Support for Multilingual Learners
Using job-embedded professional learning CAST and SEAL are examining the connections between the UDL Guidelines and the SEAL approach.
![Graphic of the state of Michigan with two photos of learners and mentors in CTE environments](/binaries/content/gallery/castm/our-work/workforce-michiganproject-16x9.png/workforce-michiganproject-16x9.png/aem%3Amedium)
Improving Michigan’s Postsecondary Career & Technical Education
We're improving career and technical education across the state of Michigan by developing a shared professional development vision and a common student-centered language focused on inclusion and the UDL framework.
![A group of adults collaborating together in person](/binaries/content/gallery/castm/our-work/circleup-16x9.jpg/circleup-16x9.jpg/aem%3Amedium)
Circle Up: Integrating Academic, Social & Emotional Learning
We're co-designing a training program that uses the UDL framework to weave together academic, social, and emotional learning strategies and best practices.
![Photo of a young adult working with a laptop and 3D printer](/binaries/content/gallery/castm/our-work/cast-americamakes-16x9.png/cast-americamakes-16x9.png/aem%3Amedium)
Additive Manufacturing Career Guidance for All
Together with America Makes, CAST is working with educators and industry partners to create a free digital resource to attract individuals to career pathways in the additive manufacturing industry.
![Photo of a woman with Down syndrome smiling and speaking to colleagues at a grocery store](/binaries/content/gallery/castm/our-work/cast-macte-16x9.png/cast-macte-16x9.png/aem%3Amedium)
Equitable Access to CTE in Massachusetts
Find out how we're bringing UDL to Career & Technical Education educators across the state of Massachusetts.
![Screenshot of Biofab Explorer on a tablet with a purple wave in the background](/binaries/content/gallery/castm/our-work/armi-biofab-16x9.png/armi-biofab-16x9.png/aem%3Amedium)
Biofabrication Career Guidance for CTE & Community College Students
We're broadening the participation of underrepresented populations in biofabrication and biomanufacturing using our Biofab Explorer and Eportfolio tools.
![Photo of a young girl exploring the parts of a drone](/binaries/content/gallery/castm/our-work/cast-takeflight-16x9.png/cast-takeflight-16x9.png/aem%3Amedium)
Take Flight: Using Drones to Get Rural Middle School Girls Interested in STEM Careers
We're changing the conversation around who belongs in STEM learning and STEM careers.
![REVISE logo and hands working together on chart paper with sticky notes](/binaries/content/gallery/castm/our-work/revise-16x9.png/revise-16x9.png/aem%3Amedium)
REVISE Center: A Collaborative Effort to Advance Equity in Informal STEM Education
We're helping to create more accessible and universally-designed tools for the NSF AISL Resource Center.
![Screenshot of the MNTfolio tool on a mobile device surrounded by technical imagery](/binaries/content/gallery/castm/our-work/mntfolio-16x9.jpg/mntfolio-16x9.jpg/aem%3Amedium)
MNTfolio: Customizing e-Portfolios for Undergraduate Research
Our e-portfolio is helping develop research skills in undergraduate micro nano technology researchers.
![An educator at the front of a classroom of adults, calling on participants to speak](/binaries/content/gallery/castm/our-work/octae-16x9.jpg/octae-16x9.jpg/aem%3Amedium)
Reimagining Online Training: Using UDL to Support Adult Basic Education Teachers
We're supporting educators in effectively teaching and supporting neurodiverse adult learners interested in pursuing postsecondary programs.
![Far North Literacy Development Consortium logo](/binaries/content/gallery/castm/our-work/fnldc-16x9.jpg/fnldc-16x9.jpg/aem%3Amedium)
FNLDC: Literacy Development in Northern California
We're building teacher capacity for literacy instruction across disciplines through Universal Design for Learning.
![Illustration of a student reading at a laptop surrounded by mathematical notation](/binaries/content/gallery/castm/our-work/maracas-16x9.jpg/maracas-16x9.jpg/aem%3Amedium)
MARCS: Facilitating Math Learning with Adaptive Reading Supports
Learn how we're supporting math learning through customized and adaptive reading supports and scaffolds.
![CIDDL logo: Center for Innovation, Design, and Digital Learning](/binaries/content/gallery/castm/our-work/ciddl-16x9.png/ciddl-16x9.png/aem%3Amedium)
CIDDL: A Digital Network for Innovative Practices in Education
We're helping preservice education faculty in using edtech for more inclusive instruction.
![A science teacher working with students, SNUDLE projected on a whiteboard behind them](/binaries/content/gallery/castm/our-work/oasis-16x9.png/oasis-16x9.png/aem%3Amedium)
OASIS: Empowering Science Teachers with Research-based Coaching
We're designing sustainable, enhanced professional development for our universally designed digital science notebook.
![Photo of a mother and daughter speaking with an educator](/binaries/content/gallery/castm/our-work/ma-dese-iep-16x9.png/ma-dese-iep-16x9.png/aem%3Amedium)
IEP Improvement Project: Empowering Massachusetts Schools to Improve Service to Students
Family engagement in the IEP process is essential. Learn more about our professional learning work in Massachusetts to ensure a more equitable IEP process.
![COOL: Coaching on Learning logo with various learning- and collaboration-related icons surrounding it](/binaries/content/gallery/castm/our-work/cool-project-pg1.png/cool-project-pg1.png/aem%3Amedium)
Project COOL: A Scalable UDL Coaching Model
We're building a new model for instructional coaches, including new systems, resources, and microcredentials to impact student learning.
![Photo of a student and teacher working together, screenshot of Corgi on a tablet](/binaries/content/gallery/castm/our-work/project-corgi2020-2.png/project-corgi2020-2.png/aem%3Amedium)
Corgi 2020: Scaling Models for the Classrooms of Tomorrow
Corgi graphic organizers are great on their own, but we're making them even better with a suite of professional learning resources to support their use in the classroom.
![Illustration of a series of media representing varied ways of feeling, seeing and hearing content.](/binaries/content/gallery/aemm/about/aem-pour-poster.png/aem-pour-poster.png/aem%3Amedium)
AEM Center: National Center on Accessible Educational Materials for Learning
Accessible materials are an essential component in UDL implementation. Learn how the AEM Center can help ramp up your accessible materials systems and practices.
![CITES logo: Center on Inclusive Technology & Education Systems](/binaries/content/gallery/castm/our-work/cites-logo-castsite.png/cites-logo-castsite.png/aem%3Amedium)
CITES: Framing the Future of Learning with Technology
We're framing the future of learning and technology by bringing together educational technology, information technology, and assistive technology.
![A group of educators collaborating with sticky notes and the UDL Guidelines](/binaries/content/gallery/castm/our-work/nh-2023-16x9.jpg/nh-2023-16x9.jpg/aem%3Amedium)
NH UDL: New Hampshire UDL Innovation Network
We're supporting New Hampshire educators in building and sustaining a state-wide model for UDL implementation.
![Photo of three people in discussion](/binaries/content/gallery/castm/our-work/staffmeeting4-ul.jpg/staffmeeting4-ul.jpg/aem%3Amedium)
UDL Credentials & Certifications for Educators & Product Developers
We're leading a UDL field-building initiative around credentials and certifications for educators and product developers.
Past Projects
Our past work influences our current work in meaningful ways. Resources developed during the course of a project provide insight into the way we work, and are often publicly available to the field of education and learning.
![Screenshot of the Micro-Credentials page on the NOCTI website](/binaries/content/gallery/castm/our-work/cast-upperbucks-nocti-16x9.png/cast-upperbucks-nocti-16x9.png/aem%3Amedium)
Developing a UDL Micro-Credential for CTE Educators: One District’s Approach
The materials and resources are all designed to help CTE educators understand how they can use UDL to help learners sustain their effort and persistence.
![A person in gear working in a tree outside](/binaries/content/gallery/castm/our-work/cast-outdooryouth-16x9.png/cast-outdooryouth-16x9.png/aem%3Amedium)
Outdoor Recreation: Connecting Rural Youth with STEM Careers
Learn more about our work with rural youth exploring connections with outdoor recreation and STEM careers.
![Photo of two educators looking at the UDL Guidelines and working on a sticky note activity](/binaries/content/gallery/castm/our-work/ccil-projectpage-16x9.png/ccil-projectpage-16x9.png/aem%3Amedium)
CCIL: Inclusive Literacy for California Students
We're working with California educators to design and deliver more inclusive literacy instruction.
![Mindprint Learning logo with mathematics symbols in a wave underneath the logo](/binaries/content/gallery/castm/our-work/mindprint-logo-16x9.jpg/mindprint-logo-16x9.jpg/aem%3Amedium)
MindPrint SBIR: Addressing Learner Variability in Secondary Mathematics Instruction
Learn how we're equipping educators with data to address student variability across cognitive, social-emotional, and academic skills
![Photo collage of families doing makerspace activities together](/binaries/content/gallery/common/news/bayview-makers.jpg/bayview-makers.jpg/aem%3Amedium)
Multi-Gen STEM Makerspaces Will Boost School, Career Prospects
We're developing and researching a sustainable model for multigenerational making and learning that can support a STEM career trajectory.
![Screenshots of Clusive library, and open article with settings panel.](/binaries/content/gallery/cisl/clusive-home-article-wiretapping.jpg/clusive-home-article-wiretapping.jpg/aem%3Amedium)
CISL: Creating Digital Tools to Empower Students
Together we will transform the digital learning landscape so that everyone has a chance to engage in and succeed in digital learning.
![A group of adults from the Choose Love project smiling at the camera](/binaries/content/gallery/castm/our-work/chooselove-16x9.jpg/chooselove-16x9.jpg/aem%3Amedium)
Choose Love & UDL: Bringing Social Emotional Learning into New Hampshire Prisons
We're helping to make the Choose Love™ curriculum more flexible and barrier-free for learners in the NH corrections system.
![Photo of a student working on a laptop computer](/binaries/content/gallery/castm/our-work/maryland-onlinelearning-16x9.jpg/maryland-onlinelearning-16x9.jpg/aem%3Amedium)
MD Virtual Learning: Expanding Opportunities in Online & Blended Learning
We're helping design and deliver new online teaching and learning products that are engaging and fully accessible for Maryland's online learners.
![Worker fixing an engine](/binaries/content/gallery/castm/our-work/cast-workforce-accessate.jpg/cast-workforce-accessate.jpg/aem%3Amedium)
AccessATE: Accessibility for Community College Technician Education
Supporting community and technical colleges in developing and maintaining accessible materials and practices.
![Corgi logo: Co-organize your learning](/binaries/content/gallery/castm/our-work/corgi-site.png/corgi-site.png/aem%3Amedium)
Corgi-2: Enhancing Middle School STEM Learning
We took what’s already great about graphic organizers and made them more flexible and accessible.
![TIES Center logo](/binaries/content/gallery/castm/our-work/ties-projectpage-cast.jpg/ties-projectpage-cast.jpg/aem%3Amedium)
TIES Center: Meaningful Inclusion for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities
Supporting the development of systems that not only include more students with cognitive disabilities, but meet each learner's needs in meaningful ways.
![Teacher viewing Writer's Key progress monitoring screen.](/binaries/content/gallery/castm/our-work/project-writers-workbench.jpg/project-writers-workbench.jpg/aem%3Amedium)
Writer's Workbench: The Keys to Writing Smarter
As an extension of our Writer's Key tool, we're building a professional learning ecosystem to support more effective writing instruction.
![Photo of two people working on a piece of machinery](/binaries/content/gallery/castm/our-work/ctefolio-16x9.png/ctefolio-16x9.png/aem%3Amedium)
CTEfolio: Supporting Hands-on Learning in a Remote Environment
Bringing our e-portfolio work into CTE programs so students can show what they know in new ways.
![Photo of a group of children bike riding in the woods with adults](/binaries/content/gallery/castm/our-work/nh-outdoorrec-castsite.jpg/nh-outdoorrec-castsite.jpg/aem%3Amedium)
Learning Outside the Box: Co-Developing a CTE Pathway in Outdoor Recreation
Learn how CAST is helping build stronger career pathways for New Hampshire students in outdoor recreation.
![Young person with a protective visor and helmet working with a large power tool](/binaries/content/gallery/castm/our-work/workforce2020-16x9.png/workforce2020-16x9.png/aem%3Amedium)
Supporting CTE Teaching in Remote & Hybrid Learning Environments
We're partnering with CTE programs in NH to support hands-on teaching in remote and hybrid environments
![Photo of an educator recording themselves with a video camera](/binaries/content/gallery/castm/our-work/2020grantannoucement-udlvisualassessment-16x9-1.png/2020grantannoucement-udlvisualassessment-16x9-1.png/aem%3Amedium)
UDL Video Club: Building Teacher Capacity to Reach All Learners
Educators in New Hampshire's remote North Country are working with CAST on a Virtual UDL Video Club to share and explore ways of enhancing their practice.
![Photo of young people working on a construction site](/binaries/content/gallery/castm/our-work/project-youthbuild-construction.jpg/project-youthbuild-construction.jpg/aem%3Amedium)
CEE-STEM: Exploring STEM Careers with Opportunity Youth
Our STEMfolio tool leverages mobile technologies and competency-based progress monitoring to help youth develop STEM interests and skills.
![Students looking at a paper prototype](/binaries/content/gallery/castm/our-work/ismart-prototype1-16x9.jpg/ismart-prototype1-16x9.jpg/aem%3Amedium)
I-SMART: Formative & Summative Science Assessment of Struggling Students
Ensuring science assessments are truly inclusive of all learners, including those with significant cognitive disabilities.
![Science Notebook tool screenshots](/binaries/content/gallery/castm/our-work/project-snudle-student-tool.jpg/project-snudle-student-tool.jpg/aem%3Amedium)
SNUDLE: Student Efficacy Trial
Our UDL science notebook was used in classrooms across the United States, supporting 4th grade students' science learning.
![SNUDLE photo and screenshot montage](/binaries/content/gallery/castm/our-work/snudle-t-montage-16x9.png/snudle-t-montage-16x9.png/aem%3Amedium)
SNUDLE: Scaling an Inclusive Solution to Sensemaking in Science
Helping teachers use science notebooks to support student science knowledge, motivation for science, and sensemaking.
![Intro to assessments and photo of Amanda Bastoni](/binaries/content/gallery/castm/our-work/ccil-introassessment-16x9.png/ccil-introassessment-16x9.png/aem%3Amedium)
A UDL Perspective on Assessment
Learn more about our interactive professional learning on UDL and assessments through interactive video modules.
![Screenshot of the IMTfolio Challenges page in the app](/binaries/content/gallery/castm/our-work/imt-challenges-page.png/imt-challenges-page.png/aem%3Amedium)
IMTfolio: Opening Advanced Manufacturing Career Pathways to People with Disabilities
We're building a portable e-portfolio to help document young people's prior learning in competencies relevant to future apprenticeships.
![Photo of two students working on a co-design activity with sticky notes in front of them](/binaries/content/gallery/castm/our-work/biofab-codesign-16x9.jpeg/biofab-codesign-16x9.jpeg/aem%3Amedium)
ARMI: Career Exploration Pathways into Advanced Manufacturing for Diverse Learners
We're building a more inclusive talent pool for futuristic fields as robotics, biofabrication, and hybrid electronics.
![Productive struggle at work in Partners in Motion exhibit](/binaries/content/gallery/castm/our-work/project-productive-struggle.jpg/project-productive-struggle.jpg/aem%3Amedium)
Designing for Productive Struggle in Informal Science Learning
How do we design informal science learning challenges that are exhilarating, challenging, intensive, and fruitful?
![A sprout breaking through the pavement](/binaries/content/gallery/castm/our-work/project-raise-garden-razorwire.jpg/project-raise-garden-razorwire.jpg/aem%3Amedium)
RAISE: Science Education for Incarcerated Youth
Universally designed science content for incarcerated youth to broaden career horizons.
![Two girls at a Smartboard](/binaries/content/gallery/castm/our-work/bgclub-smartboard.jpg/bgclub-smartboard.jpg/aem%3Amedium)
Putting Students in the EdTech Design Seat
What would it look like if next generation learning technologies were designed by students, not just for them?
![Screenshot of the Udio dashboard](/binaries/content/gallery/castm/our-work/udio-dashboard-011015.png/udio-dashboard-011015.png/aem%3Amedium)
CET-Udio: Closing the Literacy Gap
Our digital literacy environment was developed with UDL supports and scaffolds for struggling readers.
![Screenshot of the COLSD web site home page](/binaries/content/gallery/castm/our-work/project-colsd.png/project-colsd.png/aem%3Amedium)
COLSD: Making Online Learning Accessible & Effective
Does online learning work for students with disabilities?
![Photo of a woman typing on a keyboard](/binaries/content/gallery/castm/our-work/project-inquiry-primed.jpg/project-inquiry-primed.jpg/aem%3Amedium)
Inquiry Primed: Making Science More Inviting & Effective
What is stereotype threat and how can educators mitigate its effects?
![Photo of a blank label](/binaries/content/gallery/castm/our-work/project-reese-stigma.jpg/project-reese-stigma.jpg/aem%3Amedium)
Understanding the Effects of Stigmas and Stereotypes for Students with Learning Disabilities
Download the Stigma Consciousness Questionnaire-Learning Disabilities (SCQ-LD) developed as part of this work.
![Screenshot of the UDL OnCampus web site home page](/binaries/content/gallery/castm/our-work/udl-on-campus-home-t-012115.png/udl-on-campus-home-t-012115.png/aem%3Amedium)
Project OPEN: Providing UDL Resources for Postsecondary Learning
Whether your postsecondary learning is in-person or online, UDL on Campus has resources and tips for course and assignment development and delivery.
![Screen shot of Writer's Key online tool for teaching composition writing](/binaries/content/gallery/castm/our-work/project-writerskey-home-10x7.jpg/project-writerskey-home-10x7.jpg/aem%3Amedium)
Writer's Key: Online Tool Supports Middle School Writers
Composing informational and argumentative text can be a challenge. Writer's Key is up to the task.