Illinois Pathways STEM Learning Exchanges

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)
Learning Exchanges
The State of Illinois' P-20 Council has set a goal to increase the proportion
of Illinoisans with high-quality degrees and credentials from 44 percent to
60 percent by the year 2025.
By 2018 Illinois employers will offer over 319,000 jobs requiring education and training in
STEM, increasing nearly 20 percent since 2008. According to Georgetown University,
Center on Education and the Workforce, over 90 percent of those STEM occupations will
require postsecondary education or training. To grow the economy and maintain its
competitiveness, preparing students for STEM careers is essential.
Illinois Pathways is a new and innovative State of Illinois-led STEM initiative
designed to support college and career readiness for learners and better
prepare youth and adults for transitions into employment.
Implementation is coordinated through the State of Illinois' education, workforce, and
economic development agencies to support:
 Local STEM programs that empower students to explore academic and career
interests, develop skills, access employment, and grow in careers.
 STEM Learning Exchanges that coordinate investments, resources, and
planning among employers and education partners across P-20 education and
workforce systems.
December 9, 2016

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.
Each STEM Learning Exchange is overseen by a lead organization responsible for coordinating a statewide
network of businesses, employer associations, education, and other partners. STEM Learning Exchanges are
being launched using Race to the Top funds, but are supported by funding commitments from public-private
partners. Seven of the STEM Learning Exchanges will be provided with implementation funds for three years to
begin coordinating and delivering support for their career cluster. An additional one STEM Learning Exchange
will be provided with planning funds for one year to build their network and further develop capacity for
implementation.
Illinois Pathways STEM Learning Exchanges
Illinois Foundation for Future Farmers of America
Jess Smithers / 217‐893‐0091 / jsmithers@agriculturaleducation.org
Illinois State University
David Loomis / 309-438-7979 / dloomis@ilstu.edu
Econ Illinois
Beth B. Metzler / 779-777-7717 / bmetzler@niu.edu
University of Illinois at Chicago
Not available at this time.
CompTIA Workforce Development LLC
Joan Matz / 630-678-8445 / jmatz@comptia.org
Illinois Manufacturers Association (IMA) Education Foundation
Jim Nelson / 217-522-1240 ext. 4211 / jnelson@ima-net.org
Illinois Science and Technology Institute
Allie Scully Barwise / 312-239-0350 / info@istcoalition.org
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
Michael Baker / 217-558-6423 / Michael.Baker@illinois.gov
Illinois State Board of Education
Illinois Community College Board
Illinois Board of Higher Education
Illinois Student Assistance Commission
Illinois Department of Employment Security

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math
(STEM) Learning Exchange
Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources (AFNR) Cluster includes: development, production,
processing, and distribution of agricultural commodities and resources including food, fiber, wood
products, natural resources, horticulture, and other plant and animal products/resources.
The agribusiness industry plays a vital role in both the state and national economies, and our daily lives. It
supplies us and many other countries with a wide variety of food products and non-food products such as
fibers, lumber, and recreation. It contributes positively to our foreign trade balance and is one of the states’
and Nations’ larger industries in terms of total employment.
Career Pathways
 Agricultural Science
 Agricultural Business & Management
 Agriculture Mechanics & Technology
 Horticulture
 Natural Resources Conservation Management
Highlights
 The agribusiness industry in Illinois, comprising over 75 percent of the state's total land area,
employs over 163,000 workers and contributes $13.5 billion to the state’s economy.
 Illinois is a leading national producer of soybeans, corn, and swine. The state's climate and soil
types also enable farmers to grow and raise many other agriculture commodities including cattle,
wheat, oats, sorghum, hay, sheep, and poultry.
 Overall employment in agribusiness, food and natural resources is expected to grow about
as fast as the average for all industries in Illinois.
January 24, 2014

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
AFNR STEM Learning Exchange will be provided with implementation funds for three years to begin
coordinating and delivering support for their career cluster.
AFNR STEM Learning Exchange Implementation Lead Organization:
Illinois Foundation FFA
Jess Smithers / 217‐893‐0091 / jsmithers@agriculturaleducation.org
The Illinois Foundation FFA is a nonprofit organization with a long history of supporting educators and
students participating with AFNR programs. It provides financial support for the total FFA program in
Illinois and is supported by their Board of Trustees composed of a wide-range of public-private
representative involved in agricultural education across the state.
The AFNR STEM Learning Exchange will expand upon a quarter century of partnerships to advance
agricultural education in Illinois. This Exchange will provide expansive curriculum resources, provide
incentive funding for local programs, build partnerships with industries for students to address real-world
challenges, and provide expansive professional development opportunities for teachers and
administrators. FFA is leveraging over $3.2 million in contributions and will draw from the work of multiple
partners to carry out the activities of the Exchange. Examples of its partnerships include:
 Illinois Agri-women initiatives to promote non-traditional agricultural STEM careers for women.
 Illinois American Water has committed $261,500 of in-kind support for activities such as the
creation of a “water testing lab” where students can engage in hands-on learning relating to
water stewardship in agriculture.
 Corporate partners such as Growmark, Pioneer, ADM, Farm Credit Services and John Deere are
committed to funding scholarships and providing opportunities for internships.
* All applications for lead organizations are subject to change pending negotiations with the Illinois State Board of Education.

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

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.

The Finance Career Cluster includes: securities and investments, business finance, accounting,
insurance, and banking services.
The finance sector in Illinois is comprised of a set of institutions, instruments, and the regulatory framework
that permit transactions to be made by extending credit and incurring and settling debts. Broadly
understood, the financial sector encompasses banks, insurance companies, real estate, and organizations
that manage securities, commodities and other investments.
Career Pathways
 Securities & Investments
 Business Finance
 Accounting
 Insurance
 Banking Services
 Property & Real Estate Management
Highlights
 In banking and related services, office and administrative support workers constitute 64 percent of all
jobs. Employment is projected to grow at about the state average thru 2018.
 As the population ages, sales will increase for health and long-term care insurance as well as
annuities and other pension products.
 In securities and investment, employment growth is expected due to increasing investment and a
growing need for investment consulting.
September 9, 2016

Finance STEM Learning Exchange will be provided with planning funds for one year to build their network
and further develop capacity for implementation.
Finance STEM Learning Exchange Planning Lead Organization:
Econ Illinois
Beth B. Metzler / 779-777-7717 / bmetzler@niu.edu
Econ Illinois is the premier provider of economic education programs for K-12 schools throughout the state with
over 60 years of experience in providing teacher professional development in basic economics, financial
literacy, and entrepreneurship education. Econ Illinois' programs, delivered through university based Centers
for Economic Education, help schools integrate the teaching of economics across all grade levels, developing a
comprehensive and sequential curriculum for economics and personal finance.
A partnership of leaders from business, labor, agriculture, education, and government, Econ Illinois is
dedicated to increasing economic literacy in Illinois. An affiliate of the national Council for Economic Education,
Econ Illinois is the oldest continuously active state council in the national network impacting nearly 180,000
students each year.
The Finance Learning Exchange will provide curricular and other resources to support the selection of careers
in finance and the preparation of high school students as they transition to post-secondary and consequently
careers in the areas of securities and investments, business finance, accounting, insurance and banking.
 Matching contributions from Econ Illinois will support the planning activities over the course of the
next year.

Information Technology (IT) Career Cluster includes: designing, developing, managing, supporting
and integrating hardware and software systems.
The IT sector consists of all organizations primarily engaged in the research, design, implementation and
support of digital systems, including both hardware and software that convert, store, organize, protect,
transmit, retrieve, share and utilize information. These IT functions may be carried out by businesses and
units within government, education and businesses from other sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing,
transportation and logistics, and financial.
Career Pathways
 Infrastructure, Administration & Operations
 Technology & Information Services
 IT Research & Development
 Integration Services
Highlights
 57 percent of STEM jobs in Illinois will be in computer-related occupations by 2018.
 Almost all organizations depend on information technology to conduct business and operate efficiently.
 Faster than average growth is expected for all the industries within the information technology sector.
Almost all of the occupations in this sector require a Bachelor degree or higher and have median
annual wage rates double the state’s average wage rate for all occupations.
December 9, 2016

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 IT STEM
Learning Exchange will be provided with implementation funds for three years to begin coordinating and
delivering supports for their career cluster.
IT STEM Learning Exchange Implementation Lead Organization:
CompTIA Workforce Development LLC
Joan Matz / 630-678-8445 / jmatz@comptia.org
CompTIA Workforce Development LLC is a subsidiary of The Computing Technology Industry Association
(CompTIA). CompTIA is a not-for-profit trade association representing the international technology community.
Members include manufacturers, distributors, resellers, solution providers, Internet Service Providers, software
developers, e-commerce, and telecom companies. They also serve as the world’s largest provider of vendor-
neutral foundational and professional level IT certifications.
The IT STEM Learning Exchange will begin with delivering e-learning curriculum resources and teacher training.
In later years, it will expand school district access to computer equipment and resources, support student
organizations, administer on-line mentorship programs, and manage 2-3 statewide project-based learning
opportunities for middle and high schools. CompTIA has received over $2 million in commitments from its
partners to support the activities of the IT STEM Learning Exchange. Examples of these commitments include:
 The Illinois Institute of Technology’s School of Applied Technology has donated over $1 million worth of
on-line courses, lab time, instructors’ teaching hours, and course seats.
 The Illinois Technology Foundation in-kind donation valued at $200,000 will provide lesson plans, access
to low-cost computer equipment, creation of high school IT student clubs, development of teacher
coaching programs, and guidance counselor training.
 Rico Enterprises has made an in-kind donation of $25,000 annually for five years for internships and
student mentors.
Get more information on the Information Technology Learning Exchange website.

Manufacturing Career Cluster includes: product and process development and managing and
performing the processing of materials into intermediate or final products and related support
activities.
The manufacturing sector comprises establishments engaged in the mechanical, physical, or chemical
transformation of materials, substances, or components into new products. Establishments in this sector are
often described as plants, factories, or mills. The major manufacturing sectors in Illinois are chemical;
pharmaceutical and medicine; computer and electronic products; food; machinery; transportation equipment;
printing and steel.
Career Pathways
 Manufacturing Production Process Development
 Production
 Automation
 Logistics and Inventory Control
Highlights
 The Manufacturing sector is a significant contributor to the Illinois economy and employment picture.
 Manufacturing is projected to provide 8.6 percent of the total employment in the state thru 2018.
 Many job openings will result from the need to replace experienced manufacturing workers who retire.
 Most manufacturing occupations have annual median wage rates higher than the average in other
sectors.
September 20, 2013

Manufacturing STEM Learning Exchange will be provided with implementation funds for three years to
begin coordinating and delivering supports for their career cluster.
Manufacturing STEM Learning Exchange Implementation Lead Organization:
Illinois Manufacturers Association Education Foundation
Jim Nelson / 217-522-1240, ext. 4211 / jnelson@ima-net.org
The IMA Education Foundation was created to exclusively foster and promote vocational, educational,
charitable and scientific interests including activities which foster accountability, freedom of choice,
incentives for students and teachers, and excellence in pre-employment education. Its parent organization,
the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, has a long and widely respected history of leadership in advocacy
for manufacturers as well as significant experience in the administration of state and federal grants.
The Illinois Manufacturers' Association Education Foundation, as the designated lead entity for the
Manufacturing STEM Learning Exchange, is in the process of raising $430,000 in matching cash from
private sector entities by the end of this calendar year. Committed in-kind contributions, including student
internships, are valued at over $200,000. The Manufacturing Learning Exchange will integrate resources
from industry, educators, and professional associations to:
 Encourage e-learning by establishing a web-based library that will compile learning materials from a
broad variety of national, regional, and local partners.
 Use regional networks to expand meaningful internships at local manufacturing plants.
 Develop externships for high school and community college teachers to ensure that technologies
and processes being taught in the classroom are those used in manufacturing today.

The Research and Development (R&D) Science, Technology, Engineering,
and Mathematics (STEM) Learning Exchange connects students, teachers,
families, universities/colleges, federal laboratories, student organizations,
not-for-profit organizations, and private sector employers so that all Illinois
students can participate in authentic, high quality, student driven research
and development.
Students who participate in these inquiry-based learning experiences
build critical thinking skills, learn foundational STEM knowledge, and apply
that knowledge to real life circumstance, creating a pipeline of talent for
Illinois’ business.
The Illinois Science & Technology Institute was chosen to lead the R&D
STEM Learning Exchange as part of Illinois Pathways Race to the Top
program. The ISTI is an affiliate of the Illinois Science & Technology
Coalition (ISTC), a statewide leader that cultivates and attracts research
and technology-based economic development in Illinois.
Engage high school students, especially those from underrepresented
groups, in research and development experiences and career exploration.
Increase the number of Illinois students entering and completing
postsecondary education in R&D majors.
Reach students, teachers, families, universities and colleges, not-for-profit
and entrepreneurial communities, and employers in all geographic areas of
the state.
About the R&D STEM Learning Exchange R&D STEM Learning Exchange
Initiatives:
Goals of the R&D STEM Learning Exchange
“Our mission is to prepare our students for the 21st Century workforce. These new
Learning Exchanges will provide students with real-world experience and advanced
educational opportunities to ensure they are ready to compete for the jobs of tomorrow”
-Gov. Pat Quinn
• R&D-focused resources and programs
including professional development,
curricula, hands-on learning tools,
internships
• Aligned to Next Generation Science
and Common Core Math Standards
Resource Repository
stemlearningexchange.org
• Electronically links students with
industry & university mentors
• Supports meaningful research
collaboration within mentoring
relationship
Mentor-Matching Engine
mentormatchingengine.org
• Connects high school students with
external partners to solve complex
problems
• Integrates real-world context of
STEM concepts into curriculum with
support from STEM professionals and
facilitates student led inquiry
STEM Challenges & Events

• Illinois will demand a 20 percent increase in STEM jobs
between 2008 and 2018, according to a Georgetown
University’s Center for Education and the Workforce
report.
• President Obama’s Council of Advisors on Science
and Technology concludes that retaining more STEM
majors is the lowest-cost, fastest policy option to
provide the STEM professionals that the nation needs
for economic and societal well-being.
• The President’s Council recommends replacing
standard laboratory courses with discovery-based
research courses and encouraging partnerships among
stakeholders to diversify pathways to STEM careers
Why STEM?
For more information about the
R&D STEM Learning Exchange, including
a list of our partners, please contact Allie
Scully, ascully@istcoalition.org or visit us
at istcoalition.org
Value Added
services including professional
development, curricula, hands-on
learning tools, internships
• Aligned to Next Generation and
Common Core Standards
experiences that focus on
discovery and critical thinking
• Professional development
focused on inquiry-based
learning and discovery
• Improves talent pipeline in
critical industry sectors
• Expands the reach of existing
STEM content and brand
• Makes it easier for programs and
program users to connect
• Encourages innovation through
partnership
VALUEADD
PARTNERSINDUSTRY
or more information about the R&D STEM Learning Exchange, including a list of our
artners, please contact Erin Lane elane@istcoalition.org or visit us at istcoalition.org
WHY STEM?
Illinois will demand a 20 percent increase in STEM jobs between 2008 and 2018,
according to a Georgetown University’s Center for Education and the Workforce report.
President Obama’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology concludes that
retaining more STEM majors is the lowest-cost, fastest policy option to provide the STEM
professionals that the nation needs for economic and societal well-being.
The President’s Council recommends replacing standard laboratory courses with
discovery-based research courses and encouraging partnerships among stakeholders to
diversify pathways to STEM careers
• R&D-focused resources and services including
professional development, curricula, hands-on
learning tools, internships
• Aligned to Next Generation and Common Core
Standards
Students
• Improves talent pipeline in critical industry
sectors
• Expands the reach of existing STEM content and
brand
Industry
• Standards-aligned learning experiences that
focus on discovery and critical thinking
• Professional development focused on inquiry-
based learning and discovery
Schools
• Makes it easier for programs and program users
to connect
• Encourages innovation through partnership
Partners
20% in STEM jobsFrom 2008-2018 in IL

The Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics (TDL) Career Cluster includes: planning, management
and movement of people, materials and goods across all transportation modes as well as maintaining
and improving transportation technologies.
TDL often play an unnoticed role in our society. Companies in the transportation industry connect
manufacturers with consumers, unite millions of Illinoisans with products, meetings, conventions and family,
and make long distances seemingly irrelevant. The transportation industry includes planes, trains, trucks,
busses and automobiles delivering passengers and cargo all across the country and internationally.
Career Pathways
 Transportation Systems, Infrastructure
Planning, Management and Regulation
 Transportation Technology
 Automation
 Logistics and Transportation Operations
Highlights
 Nationally, more than 10 million persons are employed in transportation and related occupations.
 In Illinois, through 2018, the TDL industry will generate about 27,200 new jobs.
 Environmental issues and soaring fuel costs are creating new positions to plan, design, implement,
monitor and control new approaches and equipment for the efficient movement of goods and people.
 As a result of e-commerce, the warehousing and storage segment of the industry is expected to grow
rapidly, thereby increasing demand for services offered by warehousing centers and logistics firms.
September 9, 2016

coordination and delivery of resources, work-based learning opportunities, career guidance,
and partnerships that support local STEM programs.
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 TDL STEM
Learning Exchange will be provided with implementation funds for three years to build their network and
further develop capacity for implementation.
TDL STEM Learning Exchange Implementation Lead Organization:
Michael Baker / 217-558-6423 / Michael.Baker@illinois.gov

Illinois Pathways STEM Learning Exchanges

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