Making S.T.E.M. Count!

1. “Education is the foundation upon which we build our future.” -Christine Gregoire Making S.T.E.M. Count! Please use the sticky notes provided to list things you know and would like to know about Career Pathways and STEM around the room! Integrating S.T.E.M Based Curriculum in an After-School Setting Presenters: Nicole Davis Rebecca Scott Literacy West NY Inc.

2. Presentation Overview • Introductions • Brief History of Literacy West NY Inc. • What we do in Fun Starts ESD • Program descriptions • Unit outlines • Example lessons/activities • Field Trips/Assemblies/Family Fun Nights • Closing/ Comments/ Questions

3. Introductions Who are we?

4. Introductions • Nicole Davis • Project Site Coordinator of Fun Starts ESD • Rebecca Scott • Deputy Executive Director

5. Literacy West NY Inc. • We are a literacy based organization providing reading, writing, math and career pathway instruction for adults and youth in Allegany and Wyoming Counties.

6. What is Career Pathways? At Literacy West NY, Career Pathways is a program that provides individuals education, training, and support services that leads to post secondary or employment. The program • Builds Skills – Reading, Writing, Math • Prepare for Work/Postsecondary • Explore Careers • Career Coach • Case Management Services

7. Developing Partnerships within the Community • Literacy West Partners • Extended School Day Partners

8. The Need for Skilled Workers What do the employers want?

9. Statistics • 2010-62% of jobs require skilled workers • 97 million positions open • 40 million skilled workers available • 2020-74% of jobs require skilled workers • 2020-ONLY44 million jobs will be available for unskilled workers • There are 142 million unskilled people for those positions!

10. By skilled they mean: • Communication skills • Problem solving • Organization • Math computation • Reading/writing abilities • Experience • Responsibility • Professionalism • Leadership • Creativity • Logic • Character

11. What are employers offering to those that are willing? • Internships • In-house training • Good pay • Benefits • Schedule flexibility • Opportunities for advancement

12. What can we do? Start them young!

13. Why is STEM Important? • A retrospective study of FIRST alumni was conducted by researchers at Brandeis University who surveyed participants who graduated from the program between 1999‐2003 in New York City and Detroit. The study found that: • 80 %of respondents reported an increased understanding of the role of science and technology in everyday life. • 86 % reported an increased interest in science and technology generally and • 69% had an increased interest in STEM careers. • 89% reported increased self‐confidence and • 70% had an increased motivation to do well in school.10 Afterschool Alliance. "STEM Learning in Afterschool: An Analysis of Impact and      Outcomes." Afterschool Alliance Sept. 2011: 1-20. PDF file

14. Studies have shown… The evaluation results collected here offer a sample of the positive impacts of these programs on youth to: • Inspire youth • Provide them with the confidence to pursue STEM fields both academically and professionally. • Develop the skills, knowledge and communication skills • work in groups, which is an essential skill in any career. Afterschool is playing a key role in supporting STEM learning. To maximize potential impact, future STEM education policy should support afterschool and summer opportunities for STEM engagement. Afterschool Alliance. "STEM Learning in Afterschool: An Analysis of Impact and      Outcomes." Afterschool Alliance Sept. 2011: 1-20. PDF file

15. Children are naturally: • Curious • Industrious • Asking questions • Reasoning to solve problems • Experimenting with ideas • Questioning morality All children are different… …but, they are the same...

16. Children want to learn! • Make learning: • Fun • Relevant • Rewarding • Important • Relatable • HANDS-ON!

17. I am sure we have all heard… We learn… • 10%of what we read • 20% of what we hear • 30%of what we see • 70% of what we discuss with others • 80% of what we experience • 95% of what we teach to someone “I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.” - Confucius

18. We should always encourage them to do what they love! • Encourage BOCES education • Opportunities for vocational training or a vocational school • Provide students with internships • Shadowing • Go on college tours • Speak to professionals

19. How did we do this in an after-school setting?

20. Elementary Component Grades k-5 Overview

21. We developed a curriculum to span four units: • Teambuilding/Junior Achievement • S.T.E.M • World Culture • Nature and Renewable Energy “The scientist is not a person who gives the right answers, he's one who asks the right questions.”-Claude Levi-Strauss

22. Middle School Curriculum Grades 6-8 Overview

23. Our middle school students: • Are trained to be peer mentors/tutors • Learn about the global economy • Interview local business partners • Explore different career pathways • Participate in Elementary Curriculum • Host a job fair

24. Elementary Program Specifics

25. Teambuilding • Develop classroom rules • Teambuilding activities • Guest speaker: • Maxine Warner • Allegany County Department of Health • Jane Foster • Character Education

26. Junior Achievement • Our Families- about needs and wants, jobs, tools and skills, and interdependence. • Our Region- explains the economic/business resources found in state and regional economies • Our Nation- program that provides practical information about businesses’ need for individuals who can meet the demands of the job market, including high-growth, high-demand jobs. Students will learn that businesses need workers with skills that are in demand, such as STEM skills • More than Money- encompasses economics and business

27. S.T.E.M. Topics: • Scientific Method • Geology/Tectonic Plates • Volcanos • Newton's Laws • Simple Machines • Light • Density • Solar System • Robotics • Electricity • Engineering • Chemistry

28. Key Points for a Lesson • Measurable objectives • Informal and formal assessment • NYS Standards • Key Points to Cover • Opening/ Introduction to the new material • Guided Practice • Independent practice • Closing/Review • Differentiated instruction

29. Hunter’s bridge held 45 books!

30. World Culture • Make passports • One continent per week • Different country per day African Friendship Quilt

31. Nature and Renewable Energy • Plants/Photosynthesis • Animals • Food webs • Animal track • Life cycles • Weather/Water Cycle • Body Systems • Pollution • Alternative Energy

32. Extracurricular Activities Let’s go somewhere!

33. Field Trips! • Take advantage of local resources • Develop partnerships within the community • Local colleges • Family owned businesses Houghton College- Fun with Liquid Nitrogen

34. Invite the Families! Niagara Falls- A first time experience for all who came!

35. Family Fun Nights • Parental Involvement • Students invested in the event

36. Assemblies Alfred University Buffalo Museum of Science

37. What do the families think?

38. Survey Comments: Parents: “I am really happy there is such a program for my kids! They enjoy it and so do I.” “My son is so excited to attend; he looks forward to it every day! He hasn’t stopped talking about the museum yet (Planetarium)!” • “I think the program is Fantastic! It is definitely a positive program for kids. My son is concentrating on more productive activities rather than TV and video games since he started.” • “It gives him (my son) positive things in his life. He is much happier and his self-esteem is very high.”

39. Survey Comments: Students: • “I like to play iPads and like spending time with the workers, they are nice and sweet.” • “This is fun!” • “Fun, Cool and SOOPER!” • “The best time ever!” • “I like building lots of stuff at fun starts program!” • “I love the after-school program! FUN! AWESOME!” • “Dear Mr. Pilgrim. This was the most awesomest thing I ever done!!! When I ate the ice cream I thought I was going to freeze because it was -550 degrees Fahrenheit. It was Awesome!

40. Teachers • “I highly encourage my students to participate- I think you do great things!” • “Last year I had the privilege of working with many of the Literacy West professionals. It was a huge help to have Mr. Lewis push into my classroom throughout the day. The after school program that was provided allowed many of the students to get one-on-one, or small group instruction in order to help each child meet their individual needs.” Mrs. Sandy Miller 1st Grade Teacher.

41. The Numbers: • 83 Children Served • 60% of the Elementary Population • 384 Hours of Program • 99 hours of one-on-one tutoring provided • 197 parents and students attend field trips

42. So, what can you do? • Starts them young! • Emphasize the basics • Explore challenging topics Build Partnerships • Provide opportunities for self exploration and growth • Hands-on • Care!

43. Questions?

44. Contact Information Nicole DavisProject Site Coordinator Literacy West NY Inc. (585) 268-5213 x 105ndavis@lwny.org 5455 Rt. 19 N Belmont, NY 14813 www.Core4me.com