Nancy Hastings, Ph.D., Instructional and Performance TechnologyKaren Rasmussen, Ph.D., Engineering and Computer TechnologyLakshmi Prayaga, Ed.D., Computer Science/Engineering and Computer Technology

STEM, Careers, and TechnologyFETC 2009

InnovationCompetitiveness

Creativity

STEM is…

“… knowledge and skills needed by future researchers, educators, and technologists; students pursuing postsecondary education in other disciplines; and individuals directly entering the technological workforce.”

NSF Division of Elementary, Secondary, and Informal Education

FACTS

US students are consistently outscored by students around the world

Ranked 16th in the world in science and engineering degrees per capita

Women represent only 25% of the STEM workforce We MUST integrate STEM at all levels of education

and we must make it fun! UWF has some cool ways to do this!

Focus on Math and Science

The critical lack of technically trained people in the United States can be traced directly to poor K-12 mathematics and science instruction. Few factors are more important than this if the United States is to compete successfully in the 21st Century.

National Academies, 2005

Purpose of STEM

"With increasing demands on our economy, workforce, and national security, STEM education is more important than ever. . . A strong education in science, technology, engineering and math skills equip our students not just to hold their own, but to advance the frontiers in fields important to our economy and security."

NSDL Whiteboard Report, June, 2005

STEM Priorities

“Strong public support for the value of STEM education

High quality teaching workforce Appropriate opportunities to learn for all

students Effective guidance counseling on STEM

education and careers Assessment tools that reinforce learning in

STEM fields”America’s Pressing Challenge– Building a Stronger Foundation

Education and STEM

K-12 Students Teachers

University Enhance STEM-related skills Instructional Strategies Research and Development Partnerships with K-12, Workforce

Development, Continuing and Professional Development, and Industry

… critical issue in successful STEM education (i.e., recruiting, retaining, and properly training STEM undergraduate students who want to pursue teaching or who become TAs) is quality, not quantity

House Science Committee on STEM teacher education

STEM Careers

Engineers (all kinds) Technicians Computer Scientists

(Programmers, Analysts) Medical/Health-related Accounting and Finance Actuarial Statistics Mathematics/Modeling Scientists Information Technology

Networks and Telecommunications

Construction Market Researcher Economist Environmental Scientist Meteorologist Urban Planner Scientific Illustrator Teachers in math, science,

technology, engineering

… and many more

STEM and the Panhandle: Fastest-Growing Occupations (2006-2014) – Top 10

Region 1 Computer Software Engineers,

Systems Software Network Systems and Data

Communications Analysts Computer Software Engineers,

Applications Court Reporters Physician Assistants Graders and Sorters,

Agricultural Products Pharmacy Technicians Bill and Account Collectors Home Health Aides Network and Computer Systems

Administrators

Region 2 Computer Software Engineers,

Systems Software Pharmacy Technicians Medical Assistants Network Systems and Data

Communications Analysts Logisticians Network and Computer Systems

Administrators Computer Software Engineers,

Applications Aerospace Engineering and

Operations Technicians Database Administrators Industrial Engineers

Responding to the challenges …

STEM Resources BEST House Siemen’s We Can Change the World Challenge Cool Web Links

STEM and Careers Math Matters Career Academies Workforce Development

STEM Resources

The BEST House

BEST House for Kids

Opportunities for K-20 students Construction, energy and information technology Hands on activities integrating all elements of STEM Tours, field trips and demonstrations http://uwf.edu/besthouse

We Can Change the World Challenge

National Siemens Corporation and National Science Teachers Association

Challenge to 6th-8th grade students Identify issue, research it and create a replicable

green solution using Web-based curriculum tools UWF is sponsoring and mentoring eight sixth grade

participants The students and their projects: http://

uwf.edu/besthouse/SiemensChallenge.cfm

Cool Web Links

Department of Labor Career Explorations What do you like? STEM Resources for Teachers and Experiments for

Kids STEM Resources and Games Science Experiments You Can Do At Home

STEM and Careers

Math Matters

Collaborative project between UWF and the Escambia County School District, supported by a Florida DOE grant

4 games integrating algebra concepts within a career framework

Comprehensive supporting materials and teacher resources

Targeted toward 7th and 8th grade middle school students taking Career and Technical Education survey courses.

Providers

Sustainers

Outbreak Unknown

Towers of Zahlen

Teacher Resources for Math Matters

Video Clips Trading Cards Curriculum Guide Sample Brochures Presentations

http://uwf.edu/mathmatters

Career Academies

Ford PAS Next Generation Learning Community Next Generation Leadership Community

Workforce Development

http://www.fordpas.org/

Articulation

Students graduating from career academy Early identification of academic

opportunities Career Paths presented Interaction with specialization faculty Campus visits

Earn up to 12 hours of lower division credit to be used for specialization

Portfolio Awarded after 12 hours of credit at

UWF

Initiatives: Career Awareness and Preparation

Tech Night Job Fairs Speaker Series

At University Outreach to educational partners

Internships/Co-Operative Education Student Research and Senior Projects Program Alignment to Standards High Expectations Close articulation with education and industry

partners Common Marketing and Recruitment Increasingly complex content and experiences

Initiatives: The Future

Promotion of STEM careers in terms of regional economic development

Linkages with educational partners Alignment to Workforce Needs High quality educational experiences throughout

system Support to workforce development through continued

skill development

References

America’s Pressing Challenge – Building a Stronger Foundation, February, 2006 http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/nsb0602/letter.htm

Finch, K., McLeod, S. & Bronman, J. Did You Know? The Fun Works … for Careers You Never Knew Existed

http://thefunworks.edc.org House Science Committee on STEM teacher education

http://www.asanet.org/cs/root/leftnav/advocacy/house_science_committee_on_stem_teacher_education

National Center on Education and the Economy, Tough Choices or Tough Times, Executive Summary http://www.skillscommission.org/pdf/exec_sum/ToughChoices_EXECSUM.pdf

NSDL Whiteboard Report, June, 2005, http://content.nsdl.org/wbr/Issue.php?issue=75