Cultivating STEM Education in East TN

Maria Crowe, Math Teacher and USFIRST Robotics CoachCareer Magnet AcademyKnox County Schools

Needed STEM Workforce Skills:Source: “Educator’s in the Workplace” visits to KUB, NetShape Technologies, Kimble Chase, Adroit Medical, Bush Bothers

• Strong Math (i.e., spacial skills, density, volume, unit conversions)

• Reading Comprehension• Communication (written, oral)• Computer (MS Office, CAD, programming)• Problem Solving/Critical Thinking • Process Maintenance and Control• Quality Assurance• Safety • Mechanics/Electronics Aptitude • Strong Work Ethic (Integrity, Responsibility, Excellence)• Team player

Bridge the STEM Education Gap

A Changing STEM Education Landscape:STEM Enrichment Programs

Need STEM Mentors* who:

• Supplement STEM education by giving students hands-on experiences (Experiential Learning).

• Apply classroom knowledge to “real world” projects and experiments

• Guide scientific inquiry.• Model “soft skills”.• Provide career guidance and encourage academic excellence.

*Teachers, parents, STEM professionals (scientists, engineers, etc.)

STEM Mentorship Opportunities

• USFIRST Robotics (usfirst.org)

• STEM Scouts (stemscouts.org)

• Exploring (learningforlife.org)

US FIRST Robotics Statistics

• Founded 1989 by Dean Kamen• 28 Teams (1992) ….34,275 teams (2015)• 367,000 youth participants (8-18 years old)• 10 million annual volunteer hours• $20 million in annual scholarships• 150,000 mentors• 30,000+ robots competed in 2014• 50 U.S. states/80+ countries

U.S. First “Soft Skills”

• “Gracious professionalism” – respect for others by being a good sport and sharing what you have learned.• “Coopertition” – competing teams help and

cooperate with each other.• Community Service – give back to the

community.• Team work – take assigned role seriously

(commitment) and make contributions to the team.

CMA WOLFBOTS Team #5508• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UsTwEOGOEc• Finished Rookie Year• Currently have 12 students (10% of student body)• One coach, 3 parent mentors• Raised $15,000 ($5000 KCS, $4000 USFIRST, $2500 Leidos,

$2500 UT Batelle, $1000 other sponsors)• Moving to PSCC/CMA megatronics lab• Community service outreach (Boy Scouts, South Knoxville

Elementary School, summer camps, MakerPalooza)• For more info. In how you can help, contact

Maria.Crowe@knoxschools.org