1. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math
(STEM) Learning Exchange
The Energy Cluster includes: developing, planning and managing the production of energy including
renewable energy and clean coal technology and its distribution through smart grid technologies.
The energy sector in Illinois is focused on processes and technologies that improve energy supply and
efficiency and reduce the environmental impacts associated with development of energy resource; utilization of
energy resources, or energy infrastructure. Emerging energy industries include: energy Infrastructure,
advanced battery storage, biofuels, clean coal energy, geothermal, hydro, natural gas, nuclear, smart grid,
solar, wind, building energy efficiency, transportation energy efficiency, energy-related manufacturing.
Career Pathways
 Energy Management
 Energy Engineering
 Building Energy Efficiency
 Transportation Energy Efficiency
 Energy Research & Development
 Energy-Related Manufacturing
Highlights
 The relative cost of traditional petroleum-based energy resources as well as government action will
be a key factor in the growth of employment opportunities in the energy sector.
 Construction-related occupations in the energy sector will produce the most annual job openings due to
replacement needs.
 Traditional occupational categories in transportation and manufacturing will also produce many of the
projected annual job openings in these sectors due to replacement needs.
December 12, 2014

2. Energy-related Manufacturing STEM Learning Exchanges have been formed for selected
career clusters to improve the coordination and delivery of resources, work-based learning
opportunities, career guidance, and partnerships that support local STEM programs.
Illinois Pathways is supporting the launch of new and innovative public-private partnerships known as STEM
Learning Exchanges. A separate Learning Exchange will be launched in each of the identified STEM areas
and will have a lead entity that coordinates a statewide network of businesses, employer associations,
education partners, and other stakeholders. These networks will be launched using Race to the Top
funding, but will be supported by investments and commitments from public-private partners. The Energy
STEM Learning Exchange will be provided with implementation funds for three years to build their network
and further develop capacity for implementation.
Energy STEM Learning Exchange Implementation Lead Organization:
Illinois State University
David Loomis / 309-438-7979 / dloomis@ilstu.edu
Illinois State University is at the forefront of a variety of industries related to renewable/clean energy
technologies. Many of the resources available to Illinois State University will inform the work of the STEM
Learning Exchange, including the Institute for Regulatory Policy Studies (IRPS), the Center for Renewable
Energy and the Center for Mathematics, Science, and Technology (CeMaST). In addition, Illinois State
University networks statewide with a broad range of both public and private partners in the energy sector to
promote STEM learning, teaching and excellence that links to energy careers.
The Energy STEM Learning Exchange will support an increased presence of energy-related material and
partnerships in K-12 and postsecondary education that will result in increased awareness and conceptual
understanding of critical energy concepts, a more educated public that is better able to make difficult
energy-related decisions, increased college readiness, and a more capable energy industry workforce in the
years ahead.
 Matching contributions from Illinois State University will support the planning activities over the
course of the next year.
* All applications for lead organizations are subject to change pending negotiations with the Illinois State Board of Education.
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
Illinois State Board of Education
Illinois Community College Board
Illinois Board of Higher Education
Illinois Student Assistance Commission
Illinois Department of Employment Security