STEM Outreach STEM Outreach atat

Normandale Community CollegeNormandale Community CollegeSummer 2008 – Winter 2010

BackgroundBackground

Normandale instructors train in Project Lead the Way curriculum (2007, 2008)

Shakopee High School PLTW Instructor Brad Thorpe suggests Normandale host a STEM event for middle school girls

$7500 funding for STEM outreach initiatives provided by the Minnesota Center for Engineering and Manufacturing Excellence (MNCEME) Summer 2008

STEM GirlZZ Rock!STEM GirlZZ Rock!

42 girls entering grades 6 – 8 fall of 2008Workshop Theme: Biotechnical

EngineeringBreakout Sessions: Biomedical Devices;

Yeast Mobile; EKG – Signature of the Heart STEM Faculty Panel DiscussionPlant Tour to Starkey Labs, Eden Prairie

WATT’S Up? STEM Energy!WATT’S Up? STEM Energy!

62 boys and girls in grades 6 – 8Workshop Theme: EnergyKeynote Speech on Wind TurbinesBreakout Sessions: Solar Cars, Wind Turbines,

Coating Glass, Energy MeasurementSTEM Faculty and Engineering Panel

Discussionhttp://animoto.com/play/rxeboe0MIgHjcxJq06wiSg

Introduction to AutomationIntroduction to Automation

13 Normandale TrIO participants from Richfield High School (grades 10 – 12)

Theme: Simple Automation and Robotics featuring use of PLTW materials and equipment

5 afterschool sessions in AprilPlant Tour to MTS in

Eden Prairie

Wind Up Your Day with Wind Energy!Wind Up Your Day with Wind Energy!

52 boys and girls entering grades 5 – 9 fall 2009

Workshop Theme: Wind TurbinesGuest Speaker from KidWind ProjectBreakout Sessions: Simple Motors,

Windmills, Wind TurbinesGuest Speaker from

KidWind Project

ZAP GirlZZ EnergiZe the Future!ZAP GirlZZ EnergiZe the Future!

35 girls entering grades 5 – 9 fall 2009Workshop Theme: Wind TurbinesWomen’s STEM Faculty and Engineering

Panel Discussion and Society of Women Engineers

Breakout Sessions: Simple Motors, Gears, Wind Turbines

Wind Up Your Day … Wind Energy! (2)Wind Up Your Day … Wind Energy! (2)

22 boys and girls in grades 5 – 8Workshop Theme: Wind TurbinesKeynote Speech by KidWindBreakout Sessions included: Simple

Motors, Simple Generators, Wind TurbinesGuest Speaker from

KidWind Project

Bright Futures Start with STEM!Bright Futures Start with STEM!

57 boys and girls from Indian Mounds Elementary (Bloomington) ESL program in grades 2 – 5

Workshop Theme: EngineeringSessions led by The Works: Basic

electricity, boat design, bridge design

FeedbackFeedback

Positive responses!Student – “I think this was a well-planned, well-laid out

camp.”Small group leader – “I hope this camp is continued for

several years to come because when I see girls gain confidence, it makes the whole camp worthwhile.”

Small group leader – “I think you did a fantastic job of giving each of these kids an opportunityto see how fun and important a career in the STEM field could be for them!”

Parent – “I was very impressed by the program and look forward to similar programming in the future that my daughters can be involved in.... Kudos!!!!”

FindingsFindings

Survey Results Summer 2009 Favorable attitude about science

◦ 92% Boys/Girls 91% Girls-only Favorable attitude about math

◦ 88% Boys/Girls 75% Girls-only Increase in favorable interest in Engineering / Tech

◦ 90% (+6) Boys/Girls 93% (+20) Girls-only Increase in favorable interest in Wind Energy

◦ 86% (+6) Boys/Girls 88% (+32) Girls-only Parents promote STEM careers

◦ 61% Boys/Girls 53% Girls-only Frequent hands-on learning experiences in school

◦ 55% Boys/Girls 50% Girls-only

Workshop Expense ~$5.5KWorkshop Expense ~$5.5K

GirlZZ Workshop Costs Breakdown◦$4000 Compensation (100 hours faculty time, 8 hours

MS teacher time, KidWind Presentation, Society of Women Engineers Presentations, Recognition for assistants and small group leaders)

◦$750 Materials/Equipment (KidWind Wind Turbine Kits, equipment purchased for July workshop re-used at Girls’ workshop)

◦$450 Food (Breakfast snacks, lunch)◦$700 Souvenirs (bag, t-shirt, notebook, marker)◦$300 NCC Administration Costs (5% for Business

Office, IT, Security, Duplicating Services)◦$800 Registration Fees Collected

Best PracticesBest Practices

Hiring middle-school teachers to lead presentations ◦ WATT’S UP? (Shakopee HS and JHS)◦ Wind Up Your Day! (Bloomington MS and Elementary)

Collaborations with outside STEM Organizations◦ KidWind Project, Society of Women Engineers, The Works

Support from Normandale Students ◦ Pre-Education Students, Multicultural Services

Support from Normandale faculty◦ Keynote, Panel Discussions, Lead Presenters

Support from Industry Participants◦ Lead Presenters, Adult Room Helpers, Panel Discussions

IssuesIssues

AUDIENCE RECRUITMENT◦ ESL and TrIO student group events were easiest to plan and coordinate◦ Collaboration with schools has not produced the numbers anticipated

COLLEGE BUSINESS PROCESSES◦ Payment arrangements have been tricky and frustrating

STEM FACULTY SUPPORT◦ Attempts to bring in other STEM faculty challenging

SUSTAINABILITY◦ Financial: Future of STEM events dependent on varying levels of grant

support◦ Personnel: STEM Event coordinator not a college funded position

SummarySummary

STEM workshop formats demonstrated:Positive STEM learning experience for studentsEffectiveness of Elementary, Middle-School and

High School Teachers as workshop presentersParent enthusiasm to connect their child with

more opportunities related to STEMIndustry participants welcome and enjoy these

opportunities for involvement