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techPATH provides science, math, and technology teachers with information about high-tech career paths, enabling them to inspire and educate students about exciting future opportunities in the field. This program aims to address the growing demand for scientists and engineers in the United States.
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techPATH Update Vicki Morelli And Jeff Bindell What’s up doc ?? March 12, 2008
Quick Perspective • The United States if falling far behind in its production of scientists and engineers. • So is Florida • techPATH was created to provide science, math, and technology teachers with information about various high tech career paths • The teachers are expected to return this information to their students and let them know about the career options that are available to them. This is LEVERAGE!
Objectives • Middle School • Encourage students to focus on Math and science. • Let them know about the exciting future careers that they can have in high-technology • High School • More focus on careers in High Tech • Encourage students to obtain an AA(+) degree or a BS. • If they plan to enter the workforce (tech prep) encourage them to complete requirements and continue their education. • ALL • Encourage the students who have traveled the high-tech route to seek employment in the corridor. • There are many jobs available • REMEMBER • Our “product” doesn’t hit the job market for many years at which time the market will have fully recovered and jobs will be plentiful!
Workshops } • Chip Camp (old TECH-4) • Optics and Photonics • Modeling, Simulation and Training • Microscopes (With Orlando Science Center • Physics Day (prototype) ~1700 Teachers Currently developing programs in IT Technology, Digital Media & Gaming and Bio-Medical and Nanotechnology.
Typical Quotes • “The best workshop I have ever attended in my entire 75 year career!” • “This program (MS&T) was given twice in Volusia County and it could touch as many as 63,000 students. (Dr. Margret Smith – Supt. of Schools. • The food is great!
Hernando County • Budgets are very tight. • They sent their teachers to Orlando and paid for their dinner and lodging. • Probably supported by a grant. • The program was MS&T • Let’s take a quick look at the program …
Issues • Teachers are usually available on training days. • This limits us to one day programs. • Really can’t cover all of the bases. • Non-Training days- • Teachers must backfill with substitutes at an approximate cost of $100 per day per sub. • Non-Local tour sites available • Requires transportation and lodging for teachers. • Only two day program makes sense.
Follow The Money – Projected for NSF Grant Approximate figures provided by Ms. Vicki Morelli
Major Problem FCAT
How do we expand this program?? • $ and Scheduling are the biggest problems. • Increased use of the internet. • More videos like “simSATIONAL career” • Look into distance learning opportunities. • Auditorium Presentations • Webcam (verb) experts into the classroom. • Look for funding for NEW programs • Partnering with Valencia CC to develop programs in COMPUTER SECURITY and OPTICS & PHOTONICS to obtain ATE grant • Cannot be used to support our existing programs.
The Future ?? We're Working on It !!