Tennessee STEM Innovation Network Overview

Tennessee STEM Innovation Network

Overview

Commissioner Kevin Huffman

• “I’ve become obsessed with how you spread the best practices on the ground. … People are reinventing the wheel and the connection (communication between the districts) has to be made.”

Source: The Tennessean, October 8, 2012

STEM Platform Schools

Regional STEM Innovation Hubs

STEM for All

STEM as a Way of Teaching and Learning

• Educate the whole student, emphasizing innovation, problem solving, critical thinking, and creativity• Focused on solving real-world problems• Project based• Collaborative• Cross-curricular

Business Partnerships

Business Partnerships

A True Network

• Sharing best practices and aligning the goals of STEM

TENNESSEE’S STEM GOALS

Tennessee STEM Strategic Plan

Goal #1: Increase student interest, participation, & achievement in STEM

STRATEGIES:• Establish Regional STEM Innovation Hubs• Launch STEM Platform Schools• Ensure all students have access to rigorous STEM courses• Identify, develop, & share STEM curriculum tools

Goal #2: Expand student access to effective STEM teachers & leaders

STRATEGIES:• Increase effective STEM teachers & leaders• Replicate proven STEM teacher training programs• Use STEM Schools as learning labs• Boost STEM Teacher supply• Enhance STEM Teacher capacity & reach• Increase quality STEM professional development• Support school leaders

Goal #3: Reduce the state’s STEM talent and skills gap

STRATEGIES:• Increase accelerated STEM learning opportunities• Increase partnerships between business and education• Increase STEM postsecondary degree production

Goal #4: Build community awareness and support for STEM

STRATEGIES:• Build communication tools, develop messages, and identify delivery channels• Conduct media outreach• Identify and showcase STEM public events• Increase STEM stakeholder engagement

TENNESSEE STEM INITIATIVES

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Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC)• Four UTeach Replication Sites:

Memphis, Chattanooga, Murfreesboro, & Knoxville

• STEM Professional Development through Race to the Top

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Tennessee Department of Education

• Common Core State Standards Implementation

• Next Generation Science Standards

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STEM Education Caucus

• Formed in December of 2011• The first of its kind in the nation• Non-partisan forum for legislators and outside

business, science, technology, and education communities to discuss challenges and solutions• Committed to developing an innovative workforce and

preparing the next generation of Tennessee’s scientists• Leaders include Senators Jim Tracy & Reginald Tate;

Reps. David Hawk & Brenda Gilmore

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Battelle’s Multi-State Initiative

• Launched June 27th at the U.S. News STEM Solutions Conference in Dallas, TX

• Inaugural Partner states include New York, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and many more

BATTELLE’S COMMITMENT TO WEST TENNESSEE

Wesley HallDirector of Client Engagement Wes@theTSIN.org615-727-1437

theTSIN.org