Making S.T.E.M. Count!Integrating S.T.E.M Based

Curriculum in an After-School Setting

Presenters:Nicole DavisRebecca ScottLiteracy West NY Inc.

“Education is the foundation upon which we build our future.” -Christine Gregoire

Please use the sticky notes

provided to list things you know and would like to

know about Career Pathways and STEM around the room!

Presentation Overview Introductions Brief History of Literacy West NY Inc. What we do in Fun Starts ESD

Program descriptions Unit outlines Example lessons/activities

Field Trips/Assemblies/Family Fun Nights Closing/ Comments/ Questions

IntroductionsWho are we?

Introductions

Nicole Davis Project Site Coordinator of Fun Starts ESD

Rebecca Scott Deputy Executive Director

Literacy West NY Inc. We are a literacy based organization

providing reading, writing, math and career pathway instruction for adults and youth in Allegany and Wyoming Counties.

What is Career Pathways?At Literacy West NY, Career Pathways is a program that provides individuals education, training, and support services that leads to post secondary or employment.

The programBuilds Skills – Reading, Writing, MathPrepare for Work/PostsecondaryExplore Careers Career CoachCase Management Services

Developing Partnerships within the Community Literacy West Partners Extended School Day Partners

The Need for Skilled WorkersWhat do the employers want?

Statistics2010- 62% of jobs require skilled

workers 97 million positions open 40 million skilled workers available

2020- 74% of jobs require skilled workers

2020- ONLY 44 million jobs will be available for unskilled workers There are 142 million unskilled people for

those positions!

By skilled they mean: Communication skills Problem solving Organization Math computation Reading/writing abilities Experience Responsibility Professionalism Leadership Creativity Logic Character

What are employers offering to those that are willing? Internships In-house training Good pay Benefits Schedule flexibility Opportunities for advancement

What can we do?Start them young!

Why is STEM Important? A retrospective study of FIRST alumni was

conducted by researchers at Brandeis University who surveyed participants who graduated from the program between 1999‐2003 in New York City and Detroit. The study found that: 80 %of respondents reported an increased

understanding of the role of science and technology in everyday life.

86 % reported an increased interest in science and technology generally and

69% had an increased interest in STEM careers.

89% reported increased self‐confidence and 70% had an increased motivation to do well in

school.10Afterschool Alliance. "STEM Learning in Afterschool: An Analysis of Impact and      Outcomes." Afterschool Alliance Sept. 2011: 1-20. PDF file

Studies have shown…The evaluation results collected here offer a sample of the positive impacts of these programs on youth to:•Inspire youth•Provide them with the confidence to pursue STEM fields both academically and professionally. •Develop the skills, knowledge and communication skills•work in groups, which is an essential skill in any career.

Afterschool is playing a key role in supporting STEM learning. To maximize potential impact, future STEM education policy should support afterschool and summer opportunities for STEM engagement.Afterschool Alliance. "STEM Learning in Afterschool: An Analysis of Impact and      Outcomes." Afterschool Alliance Sept. 2011: 1-20. PDF file

Children are naturally:

Curious Industrious Asking

questions Reasoning to

solve problems Experimenting

with ideas Questioning

morality

All children are different……but, they are the same...

Children want to learn! Make learning:

Fun Relevant Rewarding Important Relatable HANDS-ON!

I am sure we have all heard…We learn… •10%of what we read•20% of what we hear•30%of what we see•70% of what we discuss with others•80% of what we experience•95% of what we teach to someone

“I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.” - Confucius

We should always encourage them to do what they love! Encourage BOCES

education Opportunities for

vocational training or a vocational school

Provide students with internships

Shadowing Go on college tours Speak to

professionals

How did we do this in an after-school setting?

Elementary ComponentGrades k-5 Overview

We developed a curriculum to span four units: Teambuilding/Junior Achievement S.T.E.M World Culture Nature and Renewable Energy

“The scientist is not a person who gives the right answers, he's one who asks the right questions.”-Claude Levi-Strauss

Middle School CurriculumGrades 6-8 Overview

Our middle school students: Are trained to be peer mentors/tutors Learn about the global economy Interview local business partners Explore different career pathways Participate in Elementary Curriculum Host a job fair

Elementary Program Specifics

Teambuilding Develop classroom rules Teambuilding activities Guest speaker:

Maxine Warner Allegany County Department of Health

Jane Foster Character Education

Junior Achievement Our Families- about needs and wants, jobs, tools

and skills, and interdependence. Our Region- explains the economic/business

resources found in state and regional economies Our Nation- program that provides practical

information about businesses’ need for individuals who can meet the demands of the job market, including high-growth, high-demand jobs. Students will learn that businesses need workers with skills that are in demand, such as STEM skills

More than Money- encompasses economics and business

S.T.E.M. Topics: Scientific Method Geology/Tectonic

Plates Volcanos Newton's Laws Simple Machines Light Density Solar System Robotics

Electricity Engineering Chemistry

Key Points for a Lesson Measurable

objectives Informal and

formal assessment NYS Standards Key Points to

Cover Opening/

Introduction to the new material

Guided Practice Independent

practice Closing/Review Differentiated

instruction

Hunter’s bridge held 45 books!

World Culture

Make passports One continent per

week Different country

per day

African Friendship Quilt

Nature and Renewable Energy Plants/Photosynthesis Animals

Food webs Animal track Life cycles

Weather/Water Cycle Body Systems Pollution Alternative Energy

Extracurricular ActivitiesLet’s go somewhere!

Field Trips! Take advantage

of local resources Develop

partnerships within the community Local colleges Family owned

businesses

Houghton College- Fun with Liquid Nitrogen

Invite the Families!

Niagara Falls- A first time experience for all who came!

Family Fun Nights Parental Involvement Students invested in the event

Assemblies

Alfred University

Buffalo Museum of Science

What do the families think?

Survey Comments:

Parents: “I think the program is

Fantastic! It is definitely a positive program for kids. My son is concentrating on more productive activities rather than TV and video games since he started.”

“It gives him (my son) positive things in his life. He is much happier and his self-esteem is very high.”

“I am really happy there is such a program for my kids! They enjoy it and so do I.”

“My son is so excited to attend; he looks forward to it every day! He hasn’t stopped talking about the museum yet (Planetarium)!”

Survey Comments:

“I like to play iPads and like spending time with the workers, they are nice and sweet.”

“This is fun!”

“Fun, Cool and SOOPER!”

“The best time ever!”

“I like building lots of stuff at fun starts program!”

“I love the after-school program! FUN! AWESOME!”

“Dear Mr. Pilgrim. This was the most awesomest thing I ever done!!! When I ate the ice cream I thought I was going to freeze because it was -550 degrees Fahrenheit. It was Awesome!

Students:

Teachers “I highly encourage my students to participate- I

think you do great things!”

“Last year I had the privilege of working with many of the Literacy West professionals. It was a huge help to have Mr. Lewis push into my classroom throughout the day. The after school program that was provided allowed many of the students to get one-on-one, or small group instruction in order to help each child meet their individual needs.” Mrs. Sandy Miller 1st Grade Teacher.

The Numbers: 83 Children

Served 60% of the

Elementary Population

384 Hours of Program

99 hours of one-on-one tutoring provided

197 parents and students attend field trips

So, what can you do?

Starts them young! Emphasize the basics Explore challenging topics Build

Partnerships Provide opportunities for self exploration

and growth Hands-on Care!

Questions?

Contact Information

Nicole DavisProject Site Coordinator

Literacy West NY Inc.(585) 268-5213 x 105ndavis@lwny.org5455 Rt. 19 N Belmont, NY 14813

www.Core4me.com