notheast network stem pipeline project
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This is and overview of the STEM project I co-chaired in northeastern Massachusetts.TRANSCRIPT
The mission ….
to increase the number of qualified young people who choose careers in the fields of science, math, engineering and technology (STEM) fields. The Northeast Network has chosen to “prime the pipeline pump” by focusing on teacher professional development.
A collaboration among institutions of higher education, P-12 schools and school districts, workforce development groups and employers in the northeast region of the state.
Seven new school districts in 2007 – Andover, Billerica, Chelmsford, Lawrence, Lynnfield, Salem, Tritown Union and the Innovation Charter School – have recruited 43 middle school teachers to be STEM Fellows.
Each Fellow will complete 30 hours of individual professional development in STEM disciplines, four full day workshops, and 20 hours of district team time during 2007-2009 and will develop a Capstone Plan for the district.
The six returning school districts – Beverly, Hamilton-Wenham, Lowell, Methuen, North Reading and Reading – choose 15 former Fellows as STEM Leaders.
The Leaders mentor the Fellows, assist in their professional development, participate in the full day workshops and partake in individual professional development on a space available basis.
The STEM Fellows and Leaders project seeks to increase STEM teachers’ content knowledge, especially about cutting edge technologies and new career paths in STEM fields.
For the Capstone Plan, each district team will analyze the current state of STEM education in their district. The team will devise a targeted plan with a curriculum component designed to increase students’ interest in STEM.
The teams will formulate achievable short- and long-term goals with the aim of increasing the number of students who say they will study STEM-related subjects; ultimately making them more likely to choose careers in STEM fields.
The plans will be presented to the group, Network Advisory Council members and district administrators at a culminating full day workshop.
The Northeast Network STEM Advisory Council is expanding its education outreach to other school districts, institutions of higher education, and employers in the region.
Reading Fellows and district administrators met to develop a Capstone Project with the broad goal to increase the number of seniors selecting STEM majors.
Our strategies included reaching out to the community and offering more STEM related courses to our students as well as professional development opportunities for our teachers.
Reading Capstone Project Community Career Night 2005
•Krishna Vedula, UMass Lowell Engineering Department Professor
•Chris Shannon, Youth Workforce Specialist from the Merrimack Valley Workforce Investment Board
A jam-packed auditorium of parents and students
Attendance far exceeded our expectations and supported our commitment to our goal.
Our evening program inspired State Senator, Richard Tisei, to spontaneously address the audience on the importance of pursuing STEM careers.
First Annual STEM Career Day in 2007
•Over thirty professionals
•Astronomers, Electrical Engineers, Nurses, Pharmacists, Software Specialists, Technology Consultants, Heating and Plumbing Technicians, and so many more.
•Each student attended three sessions of their choice.
•Response from the middle school students was overwhelmingly positive.
•Students shared their experiences with their peers and teachers for days following the event.
In addition to community outreach efforts, the Reading pursued opportunities to provide new programs with an emphasis on STEM subjects to students and staff.
Reading received a DOE Gifted and Talented Grant to provide:
• VHS Algebra II for eligible grade 8 students • Algebra I in grade 7 • VHS professional development for teachers
This past year the district increased STEM offerings for students at all levels which include:
•Two sections of CAD at Reading High School •Three new AP Courses: AP Biology, AP Stats, BC Calculus •Future City Engineers at the middle schools •Several summer courses offered through the Reading Enrichment Academy: Robotics, Club Invention, Engineering, Rockets, and Math Skills by Games
Increased STEM offerings for students at all levels which include:
•Two sections of CAD at Reading High School •Three new AP Courses: AP Biology, AP Stats, BC Calculus •Future City Engineers at the middle schools •Several summer courses offered through the Reading Enrichment Academy: Robotics, Club Invention, Engineering, Rockets, and Math Skills by Games
Several Professional Development opportunities for staff which include:
•Differentiated Instruction, •Intel Teach to the Future •Vertical Teaming for Science and Math teachers •District Wide committees that meet monthly to review the STEM opportunities
