Initiating & Supporting STEM Education HOW TO GROW a New STEM School.

Initiating & Supporting STEM Education

HOW TO GROWa New STEM School

Why STEM?

• The Imperative– 2 million to 3 million unfilled positions due to lack

of workers with basic technical skills. (10 million such openings before 2020).

– A 2-year degree in STEM field > 4-year liberal arts• The Purpose– Supply basic & professional job force needs– Solve world problems through innovation– Expand economic opportunities for all– Train 10K new STEM teachers in 10 years

Partnerships

Partner Short Term Long Term

• Industry Recruitment Innovation• Business Global Markets

?• Tech Youth Markets Global

Dev.• Consortia Collaboration

Interdisciplinary• LEAs (districts, state & federal depts.) Achievement New Models

Governance

• Collaborative Structures– Steering committees, Teacher Councils,

Parent Councils, Union relations, consortia

• Critical: Ask, what will be innovative about our structure?

• How will our structure help break the factory school model?

Resources & The “ASK”

• Identify micro & macro– Micro—local• Aiken Env. Example: Mt. Airy Forest, MSD, hospitals

– Underutilized teacher – leader talent– Redirect ordinary funds– Grant Writing – Federal & Industry Initiatives– Consortiums

Choosing a Model That Works

• Public? Private?• Cultural—Constructivism?• Curriculum—think global• Instructional Modes Teachers as Fonts of

Knowledge or Active Learning? PBL?• Experiential Modes—Intersessions, Teacher-

led, Stations, discreet skill models?

RIGOR & SELA Match Made in Heaven:

Invitation to Join

Witness & explore

Trial & Practice

Analyze & Reflect*

From Tolerating to Embracing

Engagement & Student

Voice

Discreet Skills

practice

Building School Culture

INTERNAL• Students• Teachers• Core Values• Linguistics• Discipline alignment

EXTERNALCommunity, PR, Funder Relations, Alums, Competitors

Student & Teacher Recruitment

• Guerilla Marketing• Aligning Staffing with Cultural Goals• T2 Interview Process– Caveats– Team Task

Caveats & Interviews

• Transparent Classroom• Fishbowl• New School, high energy required• Unified decisions & execution• Tech learning curve• Commitments--specific

Questions: PBL, Tech List, Clubs, Team niche, Inference, Interdisciplinary, Accomodation/Modifications, Dual course scenario,

Data Framework

• Data infusion into governance• What will you measure and why?• Testing, assessment frameworks• Validated surveys• Invite university research + AR• Student voice in data analysis• University partner is critical

Technology

• Digital Divide, cloud computing, platform• Alignment with culture & structure• Planning approach & the politics of budgets• Purposeful purchases• Mobile Learning• Think like a 14-year old!

Intersessions & Advisories

• See, hear, do, teach:

• Experiential Learning modes• On campus: building & grounds• Walking neighborhood• Student involvement in planning• Advisory models, SEL, CASEL

Pitfalls/Challenges

• Seems impossible!—lack of resources• Understanding district politics• Finding allies• Getting parent support strong enough to

command missing resources• Wearing out the staff!• Retention• Leadership continuity

REWARDS

• Building a powerful organization with partnerships and unleashing the creativity of teachers—is worth millions

• Getting your teachers & kids the credit they deserve --jillions

• Knowing you helped kill off the factory model—PRICELESS!