Workforce Development Council Anne Seifert May 2010

1. Enhancing and Developing Excellence in STEM Education for Idaho’s Future • Workforce Development Council • Anne Seifert • May 2010

2. What is STEM Education? Using science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) across disciplines to solve problems, create, innovate and lead.

3. Why We Need the STEM Focus 60% of all new jobs in the 21st century will require skills possessed by only 20% of the current United States workforce. U.S. 15-yr olds rank 24th in math literacy and 26th in problem-solving in 2003 global assessment. 4 of the 10 fastest growing industries and occupations from 2002-2012 are expected to be high tech. New Ways of Thinking Fewer Americans majoring in math, science & engineering 50% of the degrees awarded to foreign nationals. Shrinking U.S. share of global patenting, R&D, and publishing in professional journals. Innovation New Job Skills Over 70 million baby boomers will retire and they will be replaced by only 48 million workers. 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. Global Citizenship 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.

4. 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

5. 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:

6. 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

7. 115 School Districts for a population of ~1.5M and area of 82.75 K sq. miles Reaching Rural Communities Poses Unique Challenges • 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

8. A Broad Partnership • Boise State University • Center for Advanced Energy Studies • College of Southern Idaho • College of Western Idaho • The Development Company • Discovery Center of Idaho • Eastern Idaho Technical College • Energy Systems & Tech Ed Center • Energy Solutions • Hewlett-Packard • Idaho Council of Teachers of Math • ID Dept. of Education • ID Dept. of Labor • Idaho Div of Prof. Technical Ed • Idaho Education Network • Idaho National Laboratory • Idaho Power Company • Idaho Science Teachers Assoc. • ID State Board of Education • Idaho State University • Jason Project • Lewis-Clark State College • Micron Technology Foundation • NASA • NEED Project • North Idaho College • Office of Governor Otter • Partners for Prosperity • PCS Edventures • University of Idaho

9. OurSolution Building STEM Education Across Idaho

10. STEM in Idaho

11. Enhancing and Developing Excellence in STEM Education for Idaho’s Future i-STEM Mission

12. 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.

13. Focus Areas IT Resources Teacher Development Resources & Materials Marketing/Partnerships

14. i-STEM Strategy 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

15. 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

16. i-STEM Web Resources i-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.

17. i-STEM Resource Centers Virtual Resources Linking Teachers To Professionals, Curricula, and Funding Opportunities Physical Resources to Support Project-Based and Inquiry-Based Methodologies in the Classroom Institutes, Hands-on Workshops, and Professional Development Opportunities

18. 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/

19. i-STEM Teacher Institutes • 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 • Content Areas • Engineering • Environment • Energy • Mathematics • Hands-on Science • Robotics • Space • Agriculture • Neuroscience • Leadership • Change Implementation Best Practices Inquiry-based Instruction, Problem-Solving, Project-Based Learning, Cross-Curricular Application, 21st Century Skills

20. 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

21. 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!

22. Questions ? Contact: Anne Seifert i-STEM Coordinator (208) 526-8027