Enhancing STEM in the Southeast Tennessee Region

1. Enhancing STEM in the Southeast Tennessee Region Tracey Carisch traceycarisch@sagetechgroup.com 423.903.3484 Ronna-Renee Jackson rrj_home@yahoo.com 423.994.0007

2. Agenda • SE Tennessee STEM Initiative Update • Why the focus now? • STEM School • STEM HUB • STEM System • Programs and Opportunities – demo Betty’s Brain • Q&A

4. STEM Vision Enhance the regional economy by meeting the business demand for STEM skills with an innovative approach to building future work force skill sets. 

5. STEM Vision Use a regional network of supports and resources from industry, higher ed and nonprofits to enhance the educational experience for all children in the region and effectively prepare them for the STEM jobs of the future. 

6. Give teachers the resources they need to engage STEM interests among students Connect businesses to the educational process Unite STEM programs and resources in cohesive network Disseminate innovations and resources to provide STEM for all

7. Why is STEM Important?

8. Fastest Growing Jobs • Biomedical engineers • Network systems and data communications • Home health • Medical scientists • Physician’s assistants • Biochemists • Biophysicists • Computer software engineerings • Dental hygienists • Financial examiners

9. Hamilton County STEM School • 9-12 grade bands • Full capacity of 300 students • Students drawn from each school zone in HCDE and from partnering regional LEAs. • Up to 75 entering 9th graders each year and students will progress as a cohort. • B&I partners will work in concert with teachers and higher education partners to craft curriculum units.

10. Hamilton County STEM School • The curriculum, aligned with State of TN and Common Core Standards, has been calibrated to: • Support student achievement in rigorous high school coursework • Provide authentic and relevant learning experiences in partnership with STEM Business & Industry • Provide opportunities for AP and/or dual enrollment coursework as well as B&I certifications • Internships and apprenticeships with STEM B&I partners. • Distance learning technology opens STEM School experience to students throughout the region.

11. Southeast Tennessee STEM Hub • Coordinate STEM partners to support programs and schools throughout the region. • Manage STEM Fellows program for K-12, business and higher education. • Provide educator professional development programs. • Leverage support from businesses and educational organizations to provide STEM learning activities outside of school time. • Partner with community organizations and Hamilton County to support STEM pipeline in primary and middle education.

12. STEM Workforce Skills STEM School Funders B&I Educational Vision Dissemination STEM Teaching Fellows STEM Resources Task Force STEM Fundraising STEM Leaders Program STEM Hub STEM School Certifications STEM Advocacy Task Force Train Educators Engage Partners LEAs STEM Community Evaluate Share Innovations Inform Community STEM Learning Kits STEM Awareness Programs Prof. Development Events STEM Curriculum Evaluation B&I Curriculum Clusters Community STEM Programs Higher Ed Fellows SOAR Higher Ed CBOs Educator Training Measurement

13. STEM Fellows Program • Each year 15-20 educators are partnered in a triad with a local business fellow and higher education fellow. • Year-long project to deepen their knowledge of best practices in STEM instruction. • Education fellows work with triad to develop STEM-based curriculum component or school program model. • Ongoing connection and knowledge sharing with STEM Fellowship alumni. • Opportunity to pursue Certified STEM Leadership Fellow status.

14. STEM Teaching Fellows Next Steps • Define program, expectations and outcomes • Recruit 2 fellows from each outlying county, 10 from Hamilton County • Meet with regional LEA administrators • Conduct facilitated STEM visioning and asset mapping sessions in each community • Define deliverable from fellows • Conduct Julysummer workshop

15. STEM Teaching Fellows Timeline February Develop Application Design and document the content, tasks and timeline of the year-long program March Meet with LEA administrators to explain program, identify appropriate participants and distribute application. April Work with counties to schedule and assemble community STEM visioning sessions Set 2012-2013 STEM Fellows Cohort Conduct STEM visioning and asset mapping session in region’s counties. Architect STEM fellow deliverable format May Design specific content and agenda for July workshop STEM teaching fellows work on the visioning and asset mapping deliverables for their respective counties June Hold inaugural STEM Teaching Fellow Summer Workshop July

16. STEM School Certification Program • Hub develops process for regional schools to achieve STEM certification, with milestones for various levels of certification. • Two-year certification process • Certification requirements: • At least 2 STEM Teacher Fellows • One STEM Leadership Fellow on staff • At least 6 partners representing B&I, postsecondary entities, and/or CBOs. • School staff engage in periodic professional learning networks and summer STEM learning activities to promote STEM achievement among students.

17. Web-based STEM Repository • Robust web system providing documentation on all STEM resources and curriculum components. • Schools can document and submit their successful programs to the system. • STEM Fellows projects will be disseminated through the repository. • Educators will submit feedback and modification ideas on STEM techniques they have used. • Forum tool available for community knowledge sharing.

18. Collaboration among High Schools • Inventory and share the successful STEM programs in place around the region through STEM Fellows program and STEM repository. • Utilize distance learning technology to expand course offerings. • Post questions and share answers via web forum tool. • Partner with community organizations in STEM support programs.

19. Betty’s Brain • Demo • Opportunities for partnerships now / summer

20. THANK YOU! Tracey Carisch traceycarisch@sagetechgroup.com 423.903.3484 Ronna-Renee Jackson rrj_home@yahoo.com 423.994.0007 www.SETennesseeSTEM.org