STEM LEARNING NETWORK

Mission: Advance STEM education to prepare all students in New York State for success in school, work and life. Empire State STEM Learning Network IMPETUS: Global competitiveness and economic viability Corporate need for skilled workers = investment in public schools PCAST Report- 1 million more STEM graduates in the next 10 years Significant decline in number of undergrads entering STEM fields Advanced Manufacturing in particular needs skilled workers, including chemists, software engineers, machinists, mechanical engineers, etc.

Network Organization and Membership

Overarching Goal: Transform Education in New York State Can we improve how we deliver instruction? YES! We have the skills, knowledge, models, mentors, and business partners to be successful. Need a model for a STEM school?

Collaborative Project Initiative Engage students in a multi-disciplinary project-based learning experience that focuses on a real-world problem Details: Team of teachers, preferably multi-disciplinary Develop a inquiry/problem-based instructional module Focus of the module should be a real world problem/situation Support: Training in inquiry/project-based learning Visits to model schools Connect the team(s) to community of practice Provide STEM professionals and professors to work with students/ teachers Make connections to Common Core Demonstrate strong relationship to APPR (NYSUT Rubric I.2, I.6, II.2, II.3, III.3, IV.2 VI.2, and VII.3)

Benefits for teachers and students  Connection to support network and resources to improve instruction  Validation for your teachers who are risk-takers and are willing to do hands-on instruction that engages students  APPR and Common Core requirements are supported and met  21 st Century skills of team work, collaboration, critical thinking and problem solving are developed (in both teachers and students)  Behavior problems usually decrease  Parents are positive, supportive, and engaged  It can make learning fun!

Next Steps District Leadership Support - Superintendent - Building Principals - Board of Education Identify High Performing Teachers (and Risk Takers) - Preferably multi-disciplinary - Team of teachers Learning Tours - East Syracuse Minoa Pine Grove MS STEAM/STREAM Teams - Big Picture Schools in Lafayette and Oswego - Holland Patent MS STEAM Team - Salmon River MS Stem Team - others

Next Steps (cont.) Follow-up - Professional Development - Training – TIES, Buck Institute, PBL, PLC - Teacher to teacher conversations Develop Community Partnerships and Connections - Empire STEM Learning Network - CNY STEM Hub - North Country STEM Hub - Greater Mohawk Valley STEM Hub - Higher Education, including Community Colleges - Business and Industry

How Can We Help? Questions? Comments? Conversation? Connections? Instigation? Mary Margaret Small, Ed.D. Regional STEM Hub Coordinator Jim King Business Partner Steve Heaslip Business Partner