Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Collaborative Action Plan

(STEMCAP)and the STEMTRAX Initiative

Victoria ConnerWIRED Partner, Strategic Vitality

November 12, 2008AIA/NDIA Meeting

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STEM CAP Introduction

Project grew out of 1999 space strategic plan seeking “continuity” in STEM educationOne of 14 education/workforce projects in the CSA-led “Workforce Innovations in Regional Economic Development –WIRED” grant from the U.S. Department of Labor 2006-2008 California Space Education & Workforce Institute (CSEWI) = Project Lead

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STEM CAP Goal

Develop a collaboration and a strategic actionplan to increase the number and support thedevelopment of science, technology, engineering andmath (STEM) students, teachers, professors andmentors within the California Innovation Corridor and theState of California, leveraging the resources and effortsnot only of education and academia (K-20, public andprivate), but of industry and the informal science network.

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STEM CAPMarquee Deliverables

STEM CAP– Key ElementsFour foundational forums/three working group sessions – CSEWI/Strategic VitalitySTEM recommendations/actions for California –ARCHES facilitatedSix pilot projects testing recommendations -ARCHESSTEM inventory/Publication of final STEM CAP–CSEWI facilitated

STEM CAP EnhancementsWhite paper/CSU-NASA Tchr Prof’l Dev Institutes -Cal Poly SLOProject Lead the Way H.S. outreach programs –El Camino College

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Role CSEWIHas Played in STEM CAP

Project oversight/Steering Committee leadershipEstablishment of Working Groups, ContextFacilitated broad-based coalition: new partnerships across educational segments, other sectors

UC President’s Office, Chancellors Offices – CSU/CCCK-12 Office of Public InstructionCareer Technical Education, private sector educationIndustryInformal scienceGovernment

Engaged sub-contractor linked to CA educ systemDesigned, edited, publishing final STEM CAP

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Role of ARCHES*

STEM Recommendations/Actions facilitated by ARCHES as subcontractor

Review of 22 STEM-related reportsFormation of STEM CAP Advisory GroupDevelopment of Guiding Principles/Adoption of NASA education protocol (pyramid)Facilitation of 25 focus group sessions/interviews with 273 participants:

K-12, CCC, CSU, UCFederal Labs and Research Centers, IndustryProfessional STEM Associations, informal science

Coordination of 6 STEM CAP pilot projects*Alliance for Regional Collaboration to Heighten Educational Success (ARCHES)

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STEM CAP Data Points

Nearly 500 stakeholders engaged statewide through CSEWI forums, ARCHES focus groupsSTEM CAP key findings:

Guiding Principles NeededShared Vision by LeadersNew Relationships to Leverage ResourcesSustained Commitment w/a Policy of R&D/Ability to ScaleRegional ApproachInspire and Engage (before educating, employing) –adopted from NASA Education Framework

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STEM CAP FoundationNASA EDUCATION FRAMEWORK

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STEM Inventorywww.csewi.org/STEM

An online, user-friendly database of STEM programs in California and nationwide, searchable by grade level, geographical location, subject, age, student or professional developmentEnvisioned as means to facilitate the development of a “STEM Community” by providing a central location for STEM practitionersPrograms, news articles, white papers, etc.

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STEM InventoryHomepage

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STEM Inventory Categories

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STEM Inventory Keyword Search

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STEM Inventory Add Listing

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STEMCAPRecommendations

InspireMotivate students/adults, variety of incentives, with special attention to underrepresented, underservedBuild public support for/understanding of STEM value

EngageRigorous, relevant CTE to reinforce instruction, provide tangible relevant skills/for retention, competencyDeliver science/math curriculum that motivates, energizes, reinforces and rewards natural curiosity

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STEMCAPRecommendations (cont’d)

EducateAlign K-12 S&M standards w/postsecondary and workforce expectations of high school gradsImplement comprehensive recruitment strategies for M&S teachers K-12Strengthen teacher prep programs in math/science through inclusion of hands-on, problem-based instructionProvide ongoing, research-based professional development programs focused on both content and pedagogy, for all math and science teachers, K-higher education

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STEMCAPRecommendations (cont’d)

EmployCreate industry partnerships directly engaged with educators Create hands-on internships and fellowships for students, teachers and faculty with employers in industry, academia, informal science networks and civic organizations

www.InnovateCalifornia.net/documents/STEMCAPDOC.pdf

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STEMCAPEnhancements

White paper: NASA/CSU STEM CollaborationCal Poly SLODescribes NASA JPL/CSU Summer Teacher Prof’lDevelopment Institute Success Factors

Project Lead the Way H.S. Outreach ProgramEl Camino College, leveraged by QuickStartSix high school PLTW high school programs

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STEM CAP Pilots

Addressed 7 of 10 SC recommendationsMost common recommendations addressed

Increasing student interest in STEM disciplinesRecruiting/training STEM teachers

Pilot project partners diverse stakeholders: K-12 schools/districts/Co offices; higher ed, foundations, community orgs, business, etc.Activities included course/curriculum development, teacher prep/training, development of STEM resources

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STEMTRAX Implementation: CSEWI Follow-on

Initiative builds on STEM CAP recommendations

“STEMTRAX is a facilitated, community-based, sequential, integrated pathway of STEM systemic and external programs and activities, elementary through university, focusing on leading student participants directly to the STEM workforce.”

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STEMTRAX Features

Uses CSEWI as STEM pathway coordinator to facilitate industry/informal science interface with sequential set of aligned programs elem-U, community by community, ensures industry champIncludes both systemic and community/industry support for STEM student progressionWill employ NASA Strategic FrameworkMultiple entry/exit points, academic and technicalK-12 teacher professional development for STEMTRAX teachers

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STEMTRAX Features(cont’d)

STEMTRAX consortium ensures program alignmentCommunity consortium: pub/private continuityStatewide initiative with annual STEMTRAX conference allows for statewide learning, sharingLinkage of STEMTRAX with national STEM initiatives to allow further enhancementUtilizes sponsorship model of corporations, associations, gov’t sponsorship of community-based STEMTRAX initiatives

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STEMTRAX Benefits

Robust systems model scalable statewide, nat’llyAlignment, continuity, one level to nextSTEM strategy for both academic/career tech Addresses shortcomings of program-centric modelsCreates a true “pipeline” to job/careerCustomizable by communityLeverages public/private investmentEnsures relevancyProvides for early identification for scholarships, recruitment

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STEMTRAX Call to Action

California Space Education & Workforce Initiative currently championing STEMTRAX Initiative, seeking sponsorships to support 3-5 pilots in northern, southern and central California (aerospace-strategic areas)