STEM Education The Community College Role!

Matt DeLozierDean of High School Programs and STEM EducationNortheast State Community College

Who Is Losing?Is that the question?

The gloom and doom of STEM statistics4 million STEM jobs to go unfilled by U.S. workersNot enough students are pursuing STEM fields of study in college23rd in science and 30th in mathematics(Out of 65 countries, in 2009)Are we losing? Do we panic?

Who Is Losing?Is that the question?

Accentuating the positivesHigh school students studying advanced sciences1

(35% - 1982 / 72% - 2010)High school students studying advanced math1

(26% - 1982 / 56% - 2010)Science and engineering workforce has seen sustained growth for over half a century2

Graduates with STEM competencies are being recruited to non-STEM occupations3

1 - National Center for Education Statistics , 20112- National Science Board, 20103 – STEM Report, Georgetown University, 2011

What Is STEM?Where is the real need?

The need is across the entire workforceWorkforce growth from 1950 – 2000 = 130%1

STEM Workforce growth same period = 669%1

Majority of predicted job growth will require less than a bachelor’s degree2

1 - Bureau of Labor and Statistics, Veneri, 20012 – Bureau of Labor and Statistics, Lacey and Wright, 2009

What Is STEM?Where is the real need?

Top 25 occupations by growth, 2010 – 20201. Personal Care Aides2. Home Health Aides3. Biomedical Engineers4. Brickmasons and Tile

Installers5. Carpenters6. Veterinary Technicians7. Iron Workers8. Physical Therapist Assistants9. Plumbers, Pipefitters10. Event Planners11. Medical Sonographers12. Occupational Therapists13. Physical Therapists

14. Glaziers15. Interpreters and Translators16. Medical Secretaries17. Market Research Analysts18. Marriage and Family Therapist19. Occupational Therapy Assistant20. Construction Helpers21. Nursing22. Dental Hygienists23. Bicycle Repairers24. Audiologists25. Health Educators(Bureau of Labor and Statistics, 2009)

What Is STEM?Differing definitions!

It depends who you askThe university definition?The community college definition?The K-12 definition?The employer definition?The regional definition?The definition of the public at large?

What Is STEM?Let the problem(s) speak!

Areas of concernNot all STEM areas are being supplied with enough workers (Geographic problem)Math and Science achievement are reported differently across the countyUnequal access to STEM resources Gaps in gender and ethnicity in STEM fieldsShortage in K-12 STEM teachersThe public at large really doesn’t understand

What Is STEM?Community Colleges (A part of the answer)

Building the Pipeline44% of those earning bachelor’s and master’s degree in science and engineering report having attended a community college1

The mission is the local service areaAdvisory BoardsInternshipsDACUM (Design a Curriculum)

Partnerships with Universities Grant PartnershipsArticulation agreementsShared resources strategies (i.e. Innovation Hub)

1 – National Survey of Recent College Graduates, 2004

What Is STEM?Community Colleges (A part of the answer)

Building the PipelineHigh School Programs

College Access Mentor CorpsDual Credit ProgramDual Enrollment ProgramHigh School Cohort ModelsPerkins Initiative to Increase Female

Student population in technical fieldsBridge Math Program / My Math LabMinority Mentoring Program

(Development)

What Is STEM?Community Colleges (A part of the answer)

Building the PipelineMiddle School Programs

Mentoring ProgramEarly College Prep Program (Learning Support and Career Exploration)

Elementary School Program“If I Had a Hammer” (5th grade)

What Is STEM?Community Colleges (A part of the answer)

Underrepresented PopulationsEarly College models all over the countryCC is often the first place underrepresented students are exposed to STEM career possibilities

What Is STEM?Community Colleges (A part of the answer)

Teachers, Teachers, TeachersTraditional 2 + 2 transfer model (Strong)Professional Development (Some Success)New Pre-Stem Teacher Program (Developing)

What Is STEM?Community Colleges (A part of the answer)

Tell them, Tell them, Tell themSTEM Mobile UnitSTEM Mothers Night Out

Who Is Winning?Community College Partners

Reaching downward to bring students to successReaching upward to partner with universities Reaching outward to provide for employersReaching inward to build a stronger community

Service Area or RegionUniversitiesStudents

CountryBusiness and IndustryK-12 Systems