Spark 101 delivers dynamic, real-world STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) content to classrooms. Its mission is to engage students, educators, and organizations. The program leverages short, interactive case study videos; educator resources; industry ties; and the success of the 114th Partnership, a national non-profit focused on graduating all students prepared and inspired to thrive in college and careers.

1. Closing the STEM Gender Gap
“Pathways, not Pipelines”

2. STEM talent issues are top of mind
2
“We need to build our talent
pipeline to be competitive.”
“We have 1,000’s of unfilled
jobs.”
“Not enough women major in
STEM – especially computer
science.”

3. With the problem framed as a faulty pipeline –
especially for girls
3

4. But that language implies girls are untapped raw
material – a necessary resource to meet your goals
4

5. Rather than framing STEM as a pathway to
achieving hers
5
“I want to make the world a
better place.”
“I want to help people.”

6. Educators need help motivating students
6
Educators cite lack of
student motivation as #1
barrier to academic success
– and real-world problem
solving as the most effective
solution

7. And when educators succeed with students,
employers benefit too!
7
5.7 million STEM job openings were posted in 2013

8. So what ignites STEM interest in girls?
8
What helps her
discover that the
STEM pathway is for
her?

9. Make her feel welcome
She needs to see that:
• People like her work there
• There is a social,
collaborative environment
• Her opinions and ideas are
valued
*Refer to notes for research references

10. Make her feel capable
10
She needs to feel confident in her
competence
• The US is one of only a
handful of countries where
science performance is lower
for girls than for boys.
• Instill a mindset that success
comes from working hard,
rather than being “born smart.”
• Girls have a strong preference
for project & problem-based
learning approaches.**Refer to notes for research references

11. Help her see STEM as useful
11
Make STEM part of a
bigger story – and show
how she becomes a part
• Women have a “helping”
mindset—a mission
orientation
• Women want to make
an impact, not just $
• STEM “usefulness”
more powerful than
teacher encouragement
***Refer to notes for research references

12. Help her navigate the unfamiliar
12
Self-efficacy is important,
but the pathways
between academic
coursework and specific
careers are vague
****Refer to notes for research references

13. Traditional means are hard to scale
13
STEM Mentors
STEM Internships

14. Engages
Secondary STEM Educators and Employers
Connects
Classroom Coursework to Real Career Challenges
Inspires
Students to Persist in STEM Coursework and Careers.
Spark 101 offers a new way to help

15. Spark 101 partners with STEM employers to
develop short case study videos
15
 Free & On Demand
 Aligned to Standards & Careers
 Real Employers & Problems
 10-Minute Interactive Video
 Teacher-created Lesson Plans &
Resources

16. RESEARCH
Make her feel
welcome
Show her why
it matters
Case study videos put STEM research into action
16
VIDEO
Feature
diverse,
younger
professionals
Put the
specific
problem in
context
RESEARCH
Make her feel
capable
Show her why
it matters
VIDEO
Display
excitement at
solving real
world problems
Feature women
as part of the
problem
solving team
RESEARCH
Show her the
next steps
VIDEO
Offer advice
and provide
the names of
careers and
education
options.
Three, 2-5 minute video segments break the story into interactive
components in a format that manifests research and best practices

17. CLASSROOM
Planning
Teacher plans
lesson and
kicks off video
by connecting
to prior student
knowledge.
And then allow classroom teachers to integrate with
academic content lessons
Teachersdesignand contributelessonplansalignedto Common CoreStateStandards,NextGeneration
ScienceStandards,AdvancedPlacement,ProjectLeadtheWay,NationalAcademyFoundationandmore.
17
VIDEO
Problem/
Motivation
(3-5 minutes)
Video sets up
problem to
solve and
describes why
it matters.
CLASSROOM
Pause to
Engage
Students
How would
students solve
the problem?
VIDEO
Solving the
Problem
(3-5 minutes)
Industry
professionals
share how they
solved the
problem.
CLASSROOM
Pause to
Engage
Students
compare and
evaluate actual
solutions to
their own
solutions.
VIDEO
Future
Meaning (2-
4 minutes)
Industry
professionals
offer advice
and provide the
names of
careers and
education
options.
CLASSROOM
Educator-Led
Reflection and
Decision-Making
Students consider
what actions they
might take next.

18. About 40 case study videos are available now
P&G’s Cover Girl Lipstick Kaiser Permanente’s Sepsis Management
AT&T’s Network Coverage

19. Free webinars & resources help teachers
`
Webinars Lesson Planning Resources
PLUS Field –Tested Lesson Plans

20. Early results show promise for all students
20
61.3
36.4
70.767.1
42.7
80.2
Interest in Taking More STEM
Courses
Plan to Learn More About
STEM Courses and Careers
by Searching Online
Understand How STEM
Coursework Relates to the
Real World.
Pretest Posttest
N=494; p >.05

21. And findings are strong for girls, too.
21
59.
8
65.
7
35.
6
40.
3
73.
8
82.
8
Post testPre
test
N=287

22. Girls offer additional insights about STEM attitudes
& plans
22
93%
83%
70%
61%
32%
Agree or Strongly
Agree

23. And specific feedback about Spark 101
23
When asked what they liked best about Spark 101, girls replied:
“I liked how it connected subjects we are learning currently with the
real-world careers and jobs that will soon be within our reach”
“That it connects STEM courses to real-world problems so people are
able to realize how what they are learning in class helps them in the
real world.”
“I liked that presenters explain how to solve problems, gave you real
problems to solve, then talked to you about their job in STEM and why
it matters.”
“It was good at putting real-life situations into our class.”

24. Teachers tell us we are on to something
24
Teachers tell us using
Spark 101 helps them:
• Engage their students
• Improve their students’
problem solving abilities
And that they want more case
study videos

25. Employers are catching on

26. And users are passing it along
Spark 101 2014 Usage Footprint

27. What might educators do next?
27
 Check out Spark101.org
 Try out a case study with students (FREE webinars
can help you out)
 Build out educator resources with YOUR lesson plans
or help us identify new case study videos
 Share out by Tweeting, Pinning, Liking & Sharing
 Reach out to learn how to become a Spark 101
Teacher Leader

28. What might STEM employers do next?
28
 Check out Spark101.org
 Share out by Tweeting, Pinning, Liking & Sharing
 Reach out to learn more about how to:
 Develop a case study video with us
 Support Spark 101 Teacher Leader Networks

29. And other options to consider
29
 Reach out to learn more about how to:
 Share Spark 101 with teachers in your network
 License Spark 101 content in your product
 License Spark 101 professional learning
resources in your service

30. Spark 101 is a program of the 114th Partnership. Inspired by the meridian that marks
the Great Continental Divide, the 114th Partnership bridges the gap between
business and education to support common goals for student success—that
graduates are prepared for success in college, careers, and the community. The
114th Partnership aligns the interests of educators and employers to create unique
programs that increase student engagement and achievement.
Check out: www.spark101.org
Email us at Spark101@114th.org
Follow us @Spark101STEM
Share thoughts: #SparkSTEM