Why Care About STEM Education?

Jeff Estes

Science & Engineering Education

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

AWSP STEM Education Retreat – Cohort 4

Sleeping Lady Resort

July 22-25, 2013

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PNNL-SA-74059

Making the Case…

A Brief Introduction

Operationally Defining STEM

Quick Review: Call to Action to Improve STEM

Innovation, Economics and STEM Education

STEM Education Leadership

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America’s National Labs…Engines of Prosperity and Invention

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Scientific Discovery to Innovative Applications…Just a Few

Battelle

Xerography

Sandwich Coin

Universal Product Code

Optical Disk Technology

Microwavable Heat Seat

Cruise Control

Tamper Resistant Packaging

Biodegradable Plastics

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Science to Solutions: Meeting

Human Wants & Needs

Prototype of equipment to increase speed of candy coating process

EDUCATION & INDUSTRYMy Role in STEM

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A Quick Work Bio…

Work Experience

Director, Science & Engineering Education, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL)

Science Education Specialist, PNNL

Energy/Science Educator, Hanford Science Center

K-12 teacher, Richland and Tacoma

Current Role – Strategy execution and evaluation of PNNL’s efforts to:

Help strengthen STEM education in Washington State

Improve PNNL-based education programs for students, college faculty and K-12 teachers

Deliver against the STEM education expectations of the U.S. Department of Energy and Battelle

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STEM Education Objective…

Realize change in the STEM education

ecosystemPurpose

Policy

Program

Practice

Partnership

Plant

Sow the seeds of wonder, inquiry, problem-solving and critical thinking

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Cultivate

Improve STEM education through cultivating a rich STEM education environment

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Harvest

Harvest a diverse STEM workforce through internship, fellowship and employment programs

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Impact

Impact the Nation’s ability to compete and innovate globally

ABILITIES & UNDERSTANDINGS…

Defining STEM

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It’s Science Literacy…

…the ability to use scientific knowledge and processes to understand the natural world and participate in decisions…

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Innovation America: Building a

Science, Technology,

Engineering and Math Agenda,

National Governors Association

It’s Technological Literacy…

…ability to use, manage, understand, and assess technology…to satisfy perceived human needs and wants…

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Innovation America: Building a

Science, Technology,

Engineering and Math Agenda,

National Governors Association

It’s Engineering Literacy…

…is the understanding of how technologies are developed via the engineering design process…and is characterized by the systematic and creative application of scientific and mathematic principles to practical ends (e.g., solve problems)…

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Innovation America: Building a

Science, Technology,

Engineering and Math Agenda,

National Governors Association

It’s Mathematical Literacy…

…the ability of students to analyze, reason, and communicate ideas effectively as they pose, formulate, solve, and interpret solutions to mathematical problems in a variety of situations…

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Innovation America: Building a

Science, Technology, Engineering

and Math Agenda, National

Governors Association

…and the connections between them!

…STEM literacy bridges the four areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics…

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Innovation America: Building a Science, Technology,

Engineering and Math Agenda, National Governors

Association (JCE edit)

Distinguishing Features

Rigor - Deeper Understanding & Application (Know Why…Know How)

Relevance – Linking Academic Learning to the World Beyond the Classroom (So What?)

Workforce Development – 21st Century Careers & Skills (Family Wage Jobs)

Business/Community/School Engagement – Aligning Purposes, Policies, Programs, Practices & Partnerships for Results (Collective Will& Capacity)

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15 SNAPSHOTS FROM EVERYDAY LIFE…

Experiencing STEM

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AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS, ENTOMOLOGY & LAND USE

STEM is Inquiry & Problem Solving

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Statistics…

Bug Growers…

Hydroponics…

CELL PHONES, SUNGLASSES, TOYS AND AQUARIUMS

STEM is Design

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Math

at

Work

Design for

Function

and Style

Invent!

Recreate

PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS, DANCING WITH GEOMETRY, CUSTOM GUITARS & “QUIET ON THE SET!”

STEM is Meeting Human Wants & Needs

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The science of

vibration and

resonance…

Dancing

with

Geometry

Precision

numbers +

craftsmanship

Understanding

Area…

BIKES, BATS, WIND SAILS & RESTAURANTS

STEM Bridges Learning, Recreation, Social & Work Environments

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Faster…

Stronger…

Lighter…

Durability…

Performance…

Handling…

Energy

at

Play!

How

Many? No

Problem…

A CALL TO ACTIONA National Consensus

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Examples…

1989: Science for All Americans – STEM is essential for all students…What should the substance and character of such an education be?

2007: Rising Above the Gathering Storm – STEM is critical to America’s prosperity in the 21st century.

2009: A Renewed National Commitment – “I am committed to making the improvement of STEM education over the next decade a national priority.”(President Barack Obama, November 23, 2009)

Race to the Top and Investing in Innovation Grants

Common Core Standards for ELA and Math (NGA and CCSSO)

K-12 Framework for Science Education (NRC/NAS)

Next Generation Science Standards (Achieve, Inc., AAAS, NRC, & NSTA)

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Goals for U.S. STEM EducationSuccessful K-12 STEM Education

National Research Council of The National Academies (July 2011)

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K-12 STEM Programs

Community College & Undergrad Programs

Graduate ProgramsPostgraduate

ProgramsCareers &

Citizenship

Expand the number of students who pursue advanced degrees

and careers in STEM

Expand the STEM-capable workforce

Increase STEM literacy for all students, including those

who do not pursue STEM-relate careers or additional study

in STEM disciplines

THE ROLE OF STEM EDUCATION…

Economic Development

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Strengthen the Nation’s Innovation Ecosystem

Discovery

Investment Infrastructure Partners & Collaborators

Policy and Regulatory

Talent

UniversityIndustryFed Lab

NonProfit

Startup Expansion

Attraction

Demographics

Global Trends

PoliticalClimate

Market Factors

Pre-College & Post-Secondary Education System

STEM Education…an Economic Imperative and Opportunity

…Indeed, more than half of the tremendous growth to per capita income in the 20th century can be accounted for by U.S. advances in science and technology…Several reports have drawn a direct line between the nation’s competitiveness and K-12 STEM education to support the next generation of scientists and innovators…

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Successful K-12 STEM Education

National Research Council of The National Academies

July 2011

STEM Education…an Economic Imperative and Opportunity

…The current demand for STEM-capable workers surpasses the supply of applicants who have trained for those careers…moreover, 16 of the 20 occupations with the largest projected growth in the next decade are STEM related, but only 4 of them require an advanced degree…

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Successful K-12 STEM Education

National Research Council of The National Academies

July 2011

Address the 96% Leakage Challenge

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Right now, in Washington:

#4 in high tech-based corporations…46th in science and engineering graduate programs

1st in concentration of STEM jobs…

1st in the creation of software companies…

2nd in the “New Economy” index for innovation and entrepreneurship…

By 2018, we will see a 24% increase in STEM jobs…7 points higher than national average…94% will require some post-secondary education.

STEM job skills gap is at 24K and projected to reach 45K by 2017…the mismatch in Washington between skills required for available jobs and individuals with those skills is growing faster than any other state except Delaware.

Almost half of Washington’s 4th grade teachers report teaching science less than two hours a week…only four states report less science instruction (opportunity to learn).

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Washington STEM – 2013 (www.washingtonstem.org/Why-Stem/The-Challenge)

The Hidden STEM Economy(The Brookings Institute)

A strong potential workforce exists for workers with substantial STEM skills, but less than a bachelor’s degree.

20% of all jobs require a high level of knowledge in any one STEM field (26M jobs as of April 2011)

STEM jobs have doubled as a share of all jobs since the Industrial Revolution

Half of all STEM jobs are available to workers without 4-year college degrees, and these jobs pay $53K on average – a wage 10% higher than jobs with similar education requirements

Seattle-Tacoma and Portland-Vancouver have significant bachelor’s and sub-bachelors STEM opportunities

www.brookings.edu/research/reports/2013/06/10-stem-economy-rothwell

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Voter Message: STEM = Opportunity

92% say the of next generation Washingtonians will have more opportunities with a strong foundation in STEM

83% say an increased focus on STEM helps our economy

80% support CCSS and 68% support NGSS as practical standards that focus on real-life applications of knowledge and prepare students for success in work and life.

79% say more companies will move to or expand in WA if we have a reputation for great STEM workers

78% say STEM skills are in increasing demand

70% say to expect more of students in STEM subjects

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2013 Washington STEM Voter Survey – Margin of error is 4%

COMMITTING TIME, TALENT & TREASURE…

STEM – Investing Upstream for Downstream Results

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How Does a Quality STEM Education System Help?

Breaks down one of the biggest success barriers for low-income and minority students…

Improves the chances of post-secondary success for all students…

Equips students with skills which will prepare them for the high-demand jobs of the future…

Strengthens student learning in other subjects.

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What to Emphasize in STEM…

More Emphasis onUnderstanding subject matter in context;

Use of knowledge, inquiry & problem solving;

Doing investigations over time;

Reasoning, discussion & debate;

Using evidence/strategies to develop/revise “nuanced” explanations; and

Assessing essential knowledge, processes and skills.

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STEM is an Essential Component of 21st

Century Workforce Qualities & Skills

Social & Personal Qualities

Leadership

Professionalism/Work Ethic

Teamwork/Collaboration

Ethics & Social Responsibility

Social & Cross-cultural Skills

Lifelong Learning/Self-Direction

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Fundamentals of STEM Literacy

Reading

Writing

Listening

Speaking

Math

Science

Engineering/Technology

Civics/Social Studies

Arts

Leaders Are Key

Leaders Are Key

Leaders Are Key

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STEM Change Leadership Approach

4. Develop Strategy for Moving From

Current to Future State

•Business tactics

•Scope, schedule, budget

•Training, expectations, organization

structure

•Address the personal impact of change

•Build implementation team

•Executive/leadership sponsorship secured

5. Communicate the Vision

•Identify the audiences who need to hear

strategy and the actions needed

•Communicate vision and strategy

6. Execute Plan and Remove Barriers

•Assess progress, celebrate

•Solicit feedback throughout,

adjust plans as necessary

•Remove barriers to change

Commit to Vision & Standards

Knowledge & Beliefs

Analyze Student Learning & Other Data

Context

Set Goals

Critical Issues

Plan

Do

Evaluate

Reflect and Revise

Project Management: Design & Implementation & Evaluation

Design Framework*

Strategies

*Based on Designing Professional Development for Teachers of Science and Mathematics (3rd Edition)

ADKAR: Leading the People Side of Change

Awareness

Desire

Knowledge

Ability

Reinforcement

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Thank you