Colorado STEM Education Roadmap May 21, 2014

Session Objectives 1.Communicate what STEM education is 2.Communicate what STEM education is not 3.Show why STEM education matters to Colorado and to Sector Partnerships 4.Share efforts to advance STEM education in Colorado Colorado STEM Education Roadmap

STEM Science, Technology, Engineering, Math

STEM Literacy “STEM literacy is a foundational skill that matters for all careers, not just STEM-related fields or jobs. STEM prepares students who are critical and creative thinkers, innovators, problem solvers, collaborators, team workers and strong communicators. Put simply, students who are prepared to tackle the challenges of a fiercely competitive and constantly changing 21st century economy and to participate in a global community.” Colorado STEM Education Roadmap

K-12 STEM Education Prepares students for tomorrow’s workforce and success in college and career Is focused on building critical and creative thinking and analysis skills Includes inquiry-, technology-, and project-based learning activities and lessons Is tied to the real world Promotes a diverse, interdisciplinary curriculum where activities in one class complement those in other classes; Requires robust partnerships that reach beyond the walls of the classroom to include higher education and business Can transform the delivery of education Results in development of 21 st century skills (foundational skills, soft skills, etc.) Critical thinking – think deeply, think differently Collaboration – work together, learn together Information literacy – untangle the web Self direction – own your learning Invention – create solutions Colorado STEM Education Roadmap

Postsecondary STEM Education STEM degrees, certifications, and credentials STEM educator preparation STEM training for adult workers Colorado STEM Education Roadmap

STEM Occupations Definitions vary CEI is using a knowledge-based definitions Occupations requiring science, technology, engineering, or math are STEM occupations Colorado STEM Education Roadmap

STEM Is Not… Solely an acronym A silver bullet An “add-on” to existing curriculum Just for privileged students who want to be engineers Colorado STEM Education Roadmap

Why STEM Matters to Colorado Reliant on highly-skilled workforce STEM jobs in Colorado are growing and pay more STEM drives innovations STEM education is a vehicle to upward social mobility STEM literacy leads to civically engaged Coloradans and strong communities Colorado STEM Education Roadmap

Why STEM Matters to Sector Partnerships Colorado Blueprint: Objective V Development of soft foundational skills in-demand across sectors Strong pipeline of local talent Transferability of skills Feeder for career pathways (e.g. Colorado Legacy Schools) Colorado STEM Education Roadmap

Core Objectives of Colorado Blueprint I.Build a Business Friendly Environment II.Recruit, Grow and Retain Businesses III.Increase Access to Capital IV.Create and Market a Stronger Colorado Brand V.Educate and Train the Workforce of the Future VI.Cultivate Innovation and Technology

What we are doing about it… CEI three-year long project –Develop and implement a state STEM plan –Define quality –Align resources to close gaps Funders Partners State leadership Colorado STEM Education Roadmap

Reflections and Aspirations STEM is a way to bring K-12 and postsecondary to the Sector and Regional Partnership “table” Partnerships are key to success Sector Summit III will provide a forum for sharing regional STEM successes Colorado STEM Education Roadmap

Angela Baber Director, Initiatives Next Generation Learning – STEM