Workforce Development Council

Anne Seifert

May 2010

Enhancing and Developing Excellence in STEM Education

for Idaho’s Future

What is STEM Education?

Using science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) across disciplines to solve problems, create, innovate and lead.

Why We Need the STEM Focus

Innovation

New Job Skills

Global Citizenship

New Ways of Thinking

U.S. 15-yr olds rank 24th in math literacy and 26th in problem-solving

in 2003 global assessment.

Leading edge scientific and engineering work is being

accomplished in many parts of the world. Today, globalization, driven

by modern communication and other advances, workers in virtually every sector face competitors who live just

a mouse-click away.

4 of the 10 fastest growing industries and occupations from 2002-2012 are

expected to be high tech.

60% of all new jobs in the 21st century will require skills possessed

by only 20% of the current United States workforce.

Fewer Americans majoring in math, science & engineering 50% of the

degrees awarded to foreign nationals.

Quality STEM Education is critical to the US's competitive placement in leading the world in innovation and helps

America and Idaho’s students compete in the global workforce.

Shrinking U.S. share of global patenting, R&D, and publishing in

professional journals.

Over 70 million baby boomers will retire and they will be replaced by

only 48 million workers.

Idaho is Falling Behind• 45% H.S. graduates going on to college

• 62% of those return after their freshman year

• 30% at or above proficient on NAEP Math Scores (2005 data)

• 38% at or above proficient on NAEP Science Scores (2000 data)

Data from National Center for Higher Education Management Systems

Today’s Students in Tomorrow's Workforce

Success on Idaho’s earlier frontiers meant having access to land, doing physical labor, and utilizing raw materials.

In Today’s Workforce and Global Economy … the Driving Forces are:

Why STEM education?

• Students become problem-solvers• Students become innovators with skills and

knowledge to pursue independent investigation and develop solutions

• Students become critical thinkers • Students become collaborators• Students who seek STEM careers,

– both technical and higher education

• Students who are workforce ready

• Rural Communities– Multiple school districts

across large geographical distances

– Resources and funding are limited

– Low teachers salaries– Limited State funding

focused on professional development

– Limited partnership development

– Attraction and retention of highly qualified STEM teachers is problematic

115 School Districts for a population of ~1.5M and area of 82.75 K sq. miles

Reaching Rural Communities Poses Unique Challenges

A Broad Partnership

Building STEM Education Across Idaho

Our Solutio

n

STEM in Idaho

i-STEM Mission

Enhancing and Developing

Excellence in STEM

Education for Idaho’s Future

i-STEM Objectives• Identify Idaho’s STEM education needs• Promote the vital role of STEM education for

Idaho’s future success• Identify, complement, and collaborate with

stakeholders to advance STEM education in Idaho

• Build the bridge between resources and educators to fill the gaps in STEM education

• Provide accessible state-wide STEM education resources through an IT network.

Focus Areas

Teacher DevelopmentResources & Materials

IT Resources

Marketing/Partnerships

Provide Idaho teachers with professional development and resources for STEM education • Emphasis on project-based

learning integrated across disciplines

• Targeted to grades K-12 with distinct differences in programs for teachers of K-3, 4-8 and 9-12

• Initially focused on grades 4-8,

• Later expanding to other grades

• School-wide team implementation

• Accessible physical, technological and financial resources through regional STEM Centers

• Ongoing teacher support teams including human resources, professional development/training, instructional materials, stipends, and credits for participating teachers

i-STEM Strategy

i-STEM Products

• Idaho teachers with inquiry-based instructional skills

• Accessible physical, technological and financial resources for teachers

• Idaho students with 21st century skills based on relevant learning with real-life application who are ready for post-secondary education or the workforce

i-STEM Web Resourcesi-STEM

http://www.sde.idaho.gov/site/istem/

Managed and supported by the Idaho State Department of Education. Contact: Scott Smith,State Science Coordinator, SSmith@sde.idaho.gov

The Idaho STEM Pipeline

www.idahostem.org

Currently managed and supported by Idaho Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research in Idaho (EPSCoR) and by the National Science Foundation Contact: (208) 885-2345 or epscor@uidaho.edu.

i-STEM Resource Centers

Physical Resourcesto Support

Project-Based and Inquiry-Based

Methodologies in the Classroom

Virtual Resources

Linking TeachersTo Professionals,

Curricula, andFunding Opportunities

Institutes,Hands-on

Workshops, and ProfessionalDevelopment Opportunities

2010 i-STEM Teacher Institutes

“Navigating the World of i-STEM: Focusing on use of Idaho Resources”

July 19-22, 2010

College of Southern Idaho (Twin Falls) North Idaho College (Coeur d’Alene)

More Information available at http://www.sde.idaho.gov/site/istem/

i-STEM Teacher Institutes

Content Areas

• Engineering• Environment• Energy• Mathematics• Hands-on Science• Robotics• Space• Agriculture• Neuroscience• Leadership • Change Implementation

Common Events

•Keynote Address•Best Practices Presentation•Common Planning Time•Business and Industry Gallery Walk•Showcase of Idaho’s Outstanding STEM Education Programs•STEM Panel Discussion

Best Practices Inquiry-based Instruction, Problem-Solving, Project-Based Learning, Cross-Curricular Application, 21st Century Skills

Partnership Opportunities

• Participate on the i-STEM Committees• Provide Resources to the STEM Centers• Get Involved in the at the Summer Institutes

– Provide Materials and Resources for Educators at the Summer Institute – Sponsor a Booth at the “Industry Gallery Walk” – Sponsor a Meal or Reception– Provide or Sponsor a Speaker– Support a Curriculum Strand – Provide Funding Support for Educators – Participate in a Panel Discussion about Career Development and Workforce Needs– Sponsor a Teacher or a Team of Educators– Sponsor a Field Trip

• Refer a Partner

What’s In It for YOU?

Students……• Who are Interested, Motivated, and Informed.

• Who are Prepared and Trained for the Workforce.

……Ready to Compete, Lead, and Innovate in Your Workplace!

Contact:Anne Seiferti-STEM Coordinator(208) 526-8027