Researchers without BordersWebinar 2: School Partnerships - K-12

Schools and STEM Industry and Business

 

Tuesday, January 24, 2012,

3:00 - 4:30pm (CST) 

The Center for Research in Engineering, Science and

Technology

In Partnership with Salt River Project

Forging Partnerships in Support of Growing Communities

Center for Research in Engineering, Science and Technology (CREST)

•CREST was built from a 3.2 million dollar block grant from the City ofPhoenix•Additional financial support is garnered each year from West MEC-utilizing federal CTE and Perkins Grant funding.•The CREST program is a four year CTE elective-based curriculum thatintegrates the best of work place competencies, conceptual understanding,and problem-solving activities that prepares students for both college and current and developing careers found within the greater Phoenix area.

"CREST is a state of the art specialty program designed as a student-centered teaching and learning tool. Located on the campus of Paradise Valley High School, CREST delivers real world, multi-disciplinary learning and provides the advantages of a comprehensive high school experience.”

 

‘”The CREST curriculum is integrated and thematic, with high expectations for teaching and learning. Students collaborate with peers, teachers, universities, and business / industry experts to gain valuable experiences through practical applications of theoretical knowledge. Students learn and apply 21st Century skills as we focus on excellence in achievement."

The Foundation of CREST R3 as Foundational Philosophy

Rigor - Problem solving, critical thinking, inferential learning, and

project/problem based learning skills are embedded in the curriculum. Program embeds both AP and Dual Enrollment opportunities.

Partnerships with universities in the state, nation and world are available via TelePresence.

The Foundation of CREST, cont.RelevanceRelevance - -

Making learning Making learning meaningful by answering meaningful by answering the question, the question, ““Why do I Why do I need to know this?need to know this?”” STEM STEM career skills are career skills are emphasized.emphasized.Focuses on Focuses on Business and Business and Industry within the AZ Industry within the AZ Business community.Business community. Relationships Relationships --

CREST has been building CREST has been building relationships with industry relationships with industry and postsecondary and postsecondary education since its education since its inceptioninception..Teacher/Mentor- student Teacher/Mentor- student relationship. relationship. Each student will complete Each student will complete three or more shadowing three or more shadowing experiencesexperiences and will have and will have the option of an internship the option of an internship within within a local businessa local business

Driving the Economic Engine in AZ• Fostering School / Business

Partnerships start with establishing school-based programs that support the economic development in the local community.

• Arizona has three principle emerging economic engines- Engineering, Biotechnology, Sustainability.

• CREST was designed to support and enhance the perspective workforce by providing focused instruction into these three areas.

• Local businesses have been solicited from the start to provide advice through advisory boards and curriculum development teams.

• Meeting personally with business leaders provided us an opportunity to ask “What can we do for you?”…

ENGINEERING Key Features:

Engineering as the context for math and science

Delivers a solid base of understanding of fundamental engineering concepts, principles and processes

Project Lead The Way® – nationally recognized high school level engineering curriculum Implemented in all 50 states with 30+

University and College Affiliates AP-like curriculum structure with

intellectually challenging, high depth content, post-course work exams,

and college credits

Key Features: Delivers a solid base of understanding

of fundamental biotechnology concepts, principles and processes Aligns with Arizona’s Bioscience

Roadmap Curriculum mirrors skills and

experience of a real working lab As students progress through the

program they will have the opportunity to design and lead their own project and network with members from higher education, business and industry.

BIOTECHNOLOGY

SUSTAINABILITY Key Features:

Delivers understanding of the three Pillars of Sustainability (Environmental, Social and Economic)

Delivers a solid base of understanding of sustainable concepts, principles and processes including: Systems and Systems Solutions Scale- Micro to Macro, and Macro to Micro Unintended Consequences Trade Offs Inter-disciplinary curriculum

Curriculum includes coursework in ecosystems, hydrology, biological and geo-science systems, sustainable energy, materials and technology while integrating the social and economic implications of all each content area.

The Facilities

Combination remodel of existing structure and new construction addition

14,437 square feet containing state of the art engineering, biotechnology and sustainability laboratories, prototype fabrication facility, and presentation hall.

Facility is used as a teaching and learning tool Architectural design using green technologies Additional technologies include solar panels for

collection of energy use/production at the site and district-wide.

•CREST is not a stand-alone program. The facilities, curriculum and outreachprograms are all supported by a PVUSD STEM collaborative pipeline. •This pipeline is composed of two elementary schools and one middle school•Each school focuses on a thematic UBD curriculum that correlates to the CREST strands and are linked to corresponding business and industries.•Schools are supported at teacher, administration and community level.

Building an Articulated K-12 STEM Pipeline

School / Business Partnerships The partnership programs at CREST encompass a wide variety of

activities. A large number of businesses (SRP, Honeywell, Boeing, TGEN,

BioDesign, Robertson Fuels) have stepped forward to forge strong partnerships that have provided our teachers with staff development, curriculum design, policy development, instructional development, and for our students; guidance, shadowing, mentoring and internship experiences.

A strong group of leaders have assembled for all decisions since CREST's inception in the form of Advisory Councils, which are part of all PVUSD’s Career and Technical Education programs.

Our business partners may also provide incentives and awards to our students, however we focus more on the development of “relationships” between the employees, teachers and students, and only look for potential financial resources after a strong relationship has been established and our partnership goals have been met.

Though the types of partnership activities can vary widely, the common goal of our school-business partnerships is to improve the education experience.

Introducing a premier partner in school/ business relationships…..

Salt River Project SUPPORTS STEM EDUCATION

Forging Partnerships in Support of Growing Communities

Who is SRP?SRP = Salt River Project

Established in 1903

Largest water supplier to Valley

Third largest public power utility in the Nation

950,000 electric customers

6,800 MW Summer Peak Load

Commitment to Our Community

SRP’s Overall Support of Education

$1.3 Million Annually

3 Goals:STEM Education

Underserved Populations/Customers

Workforce Development

Two Levels of Support for Education

Teacher Programming…

…Translates to Student Learning!

Partnering with Local Non-Profits

Global Climate Change Academ

y

Solar Summit

Supporting Water Education

Grant Programs

Classroom Connections STEM: Learning Grants by SRP

$5,000

Social Studies Grants by SRP$2,000

Powering Our Future GrantsMini grants ($350)

Must attend a workshop

Employee Support for STEMEmployees Volunteer Education in Arizona Brown

Bag Series

Employees organized for AZ state superintendent to come speak

Employees conduct teacher trainings and build teacher “kits” of materials during their lunch breaks

STARTING A SCHOOL/BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP

Strategies for starting and maintaining a School / Business Partnership

Why Business Partnerships?

Generate DonationsAsk local businesses and individuals for money to support your programs!

To purchase teaching supplies or lab materials

To purchase technology equipment

To attend conferences

To sponsor a school or program for students

Involvement/VolunteersCommunity members LIKE getting involved

Volunteering in Classrooms

Organizing Supply Drive

Donating used office equipment or lab equipment

Draw from Community Expertise

Community members are all skilled in something!

Invite them to present on a topic of expertiseAdd Employees on your board or advisory councilGet their help with your school functions

Advertising/MarketingEvent planning

Building AwarenessAbout STEM

About your school

About what you are doing for education

About issues facing teachers

About issues facing students today

How do you get started?ASK!Hold an event for the community to learn about what you doInvite them to an eventMake an info sheet

What is STEM?Info about your schoolWhy you need community supportWays they can get involvedUpcoming eventsArrange a PERSONAL VISIT!

Who should you approach for donations?Small businesses in your area

Especially those whose services you may need (i.e. printing, office supply store etc.)

Parents/individuals

Larger business with a focus on education

Local branches

How do you ask for donations?

Look at the company’s website for giving guidelinesPrepare a letter asking for donations:

Info about STEM and your schoolYour missionDescribe the event or program you need help with Describe what you need ($$ needed, time needed, material needed)Ask for something specific

Personally go to the business (or send the letter)

What if they turn you down?Thank them for considering the request

Clarify, if possible, the reasoning for not donating

Periodically check in throughout the year (newsletter, email or phone call) to maintain the relationship even when not asking for money

Ask again next time!

We got a donation, now what?Before:

Be sure to invite your new partner to be a part of the program

VolunteerSpeak at the eventSignage/logo on flyers

Invite news coverage of the event/program and give your partners recognitionRecognize the donation on your social media site

We got a donation, now what?During:

Thank the partner publicly

thank in order of donation level not ABC order

Give them an opportunity to tell the audience WHY they donated (offer again even if they turned it down beforehand)

Do something to honor their donation (table in front, special seat, thank you card etc.)

Take photos of the event

We got a donation, now what?After:

Send a thank you letter summarizing the event/program including results and how their money was spent

Answer: What difference did their donation make to your program?Gifts/Plaques – appropriate for small businesses who will display them, otherwise not necessary

Send photos if possiblePost photos to social media sites and thank them publicly againInvite them to continue to be part of the organization – include next events and a calendar if appropriatePeriodically check in throughout the year (newsletter, email or phone call) to maintain the relationship even when not asking for money

Thank you! and Questions?

Alison W. Smith

Community Outreach Representative

Salt River Project

Office: (602) 236-2798, Cell: (602) 390-1367

alison.smith@srpnet.com

-and-

Linda M. Coyle

CREST/ CTE STEM Curriculum Specialist

Paradise Valley Unified School District # 69

Office: (602) 449-2330, Cell: (602) 616-3652

Lcoyle@pvlearners.net