This session is intended for teachers and administrators working with middle and high school students who are looking for ways to partner with professionals, community groups, and local leaders to introduce students to STEM learning experiences and careers and to build a network to support STEM programming. Participants will work with teachers and administrators from Nipmuc Regional High School to learn about the school’s implementation of “21st Century Learning Conferences” for students. Introduced as part of the school’s STEM Scholars Program, these conferences take place during the school day, allowing students to work with professionals, community groups, and local leaders in STEM-related workshops that teach them about STEM concepts, introduce them to employability skills needed in STEM-professions, and connect them to STEM careers and colleges and universities. Modeled after workshops offered to educators and professionals, the 21st Century Learning Conferences allow students to choose from a variety of workshops/sessions on a range of topics.
Participants in this session will learn a variety of strategies to support STEM programming including developing a STEM advisory board for their school communities as a way to support STEM and career programming; building a STEM network of professionals, community groups, higher education representatives, and local leaders; and integrating STEM and career-focused learning experiences into the curriculum by partnering faculty members with STEM professionals.