Downloaded 44 times
STEM Toolkit
- 1. Sample STEM PowerPointby The Institute for a Competitive Workforce
- 2. Higher levels ofmathematics and science learning for all American students Mobilize the nation for excellence and equity in mathematics and science education.
- 3. Higher levels ofmathematics and science learning for all American students Increase the science and math content in out-of-school time programming through project-based, real-world activities.
- 4. Higher levels ofmathematics and science learning for all American students Place mathematics and science at the center of education innovation, improvement, and accountability.
- 5. Common standards inmath and science that are fewer, clearer, and higher, coupled with aligned assessments Establish common standards that are fewer, clearer, and higher. Develop sophisticated assessments and accountability mechanisms that stimulate instructional improvement and innovation in mathematics and science.
- 6. Improved teaching andprofessional learning, supported by better school and system management Increase the supply of math and science teachers at all grade levels by improving teacher preparation and recruitment. Improve professional learning for all teachers, with an eye toward revolutionizing math and science teaching.
- 7. Improved teaching andprofessional learning, supported by better school and system management Upgrade human capital management throughout U.S. schools and school systems toward ensuring an effective teacher for every student, regardless of socio-economic background.
- 8. Other STEM RecommendationsThe full spectrum of STEM careers often goes overlooked by young students. Help defeat misconceptions of what it’s like to have a STEM career by providing career guidance, offering internships, or job shadowing opportunities.
- 9. Other STEM RecommendationsEmphasize the importance of STEM education for all employees – not just your STEM focused ones. A good STEM education helps build critical thinking and problem solving skills needed by all employees!
- 10. More Resources onSTEM education The Opportunity Equation by the Carnegie Corporation of New York Change the Equation Common Core State Standards Initiative Tapping America’s Potential The Ohio STEM Learning Network by the Battelle Foundation National Math + Science Initiative National Lab Day
Editor's Notes
- #4 **ICW released a 2010 report on afterschool and extended learning programs. **GlaxoSmithKline’s Science in the Summer program in North Carolina and Philadelphia is an excellent example of how business can take initiative in this area.
- #5 **Advocate for and support smart investments in K-16 mathematics and science achievement for a vital state, city, or regional economy and map assets in science and math. --Change The Equation is a new organization working towards these goals, particularly by taking a “snapshot” of current STEM private sector investments. Find out how you can help at www.changetheequation.org
- #6 --This effort is already underway through the Common Core States Standards Initiative, a voluntary national movement sponsored by the National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers. www.corestandards.org --Most states have adopted Common Core, but achieving full implementation will be a long struggle – business community must apply consistent pressure. **The business community can also ask Congress to provide incentives for states to implement Common Core when it reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). **Science standards need to be made a priority in ESEA. --$330 million was awarded under the Race to the Top program to develop common assessments to 2 consortia of states. A total of 45 states are involved in one or both of the consortia.
- #7 --IBM’s Transition to Teaching program offers their employees the support they need to pursue a second career in the classroom. **States must open up alternative certification pathways to allow qualified professionals to enter teaching. Additionally, schools of education must look to provide training programs for adult professionals to become teachers. --Business can help by building out systems that enable teachers to use and contribute to a common knowledge base of curricular materials and pedagogical techniques ** www.curriki.org is one such free source, however, these submissions are not research based, nor are they vetted for efficacy. **The Department of Education’s “ What Works Clearinghouse ” is another great source for teachers that doesn’t suffer from the problems of Curriki but doesn’t provide quite as usable information – most of the stuff on that webpage are reports. --Business can develop professional development programs that engage teachers in collaborating with industry professionals and provide learning opportunities that enable teachers to experience real-world science and math and apply to instructional improvements . *Houston’s A-Plus teacher externship program and Northrup Grumman’s “ Weightless Flights of Discovery ” are two excellent examples.
- #8 --Programs like Teach for America and The New Teacher Project do an excellent job in getting good teachers into high-poverty areas. **Exploring the creation of a program like those specifically for STEM education may be a necessary and worthwhile initiative --Tying student performance to teacher evaluation can help ensure that every student receives a high quality teacher.