This blog series provides readers with insight on the valuable content that will be shared at the upcoming Career Clusters â„¢ Institute. Guest bloggers are among teachers, faculty, researchers and other experts that will present at the national gathering in Washington, DC in June. The session highlighted below is a pre-session, which is scheduled for Monday, June 18, 2012, 8:30 a.m. -11:30 a.m.
Helen Winter is an education consultant for Career Communications, Inc./American Careers Educational Programs. She has twenty-one years of secondary classroom experience, ten years of post-secondary teaching and administrative experience, two years working in a government position, and two years as a small business owner. At the post-secondary level, she has written curriculum funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. She also served as an academic advisor for students. She directed and participated in the development and correlation of curriculum for grades six through twelve, serving as a department chairperson.
Think about the people who developed your cell phone, MP3 player, computer, car and all those other devices that are important in your life. Just about anything you use from the time you wake up until you go to sleep are all products of STEM – an acronym that stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics. STEM It Up! is a program designed to help you make connections between the separate STEM disciplines and to recognize how each relates to the other. The program will help you to find a way to use your interests and skills in high-demand, high-paying occupations – occupations that don’t necessarily require a college degree. And even if you don’t want to pursue one of these occupations, your life will most likely be structured around devices and processes that integrate STEM concepts. In fact …STEM It Up! is
• for all students
• focused on real life
• all about the influence of technology
So ignore the stereotypes, because STEM It Up! IS NOT …
• for only the best and brightest students
• for only college-bound students
• for only students who are interested in mathematics and science
Schools usually teach the four parts of STEM in separate courses. With STEM It Up! you will be learning science and mathematics with technology and engineering in mind – a creative and innovative way to learn. Using science, technology, engineering and mathematics together is a powerful way to develop the knowledge and skills to create, design, innovate and think critically – and to use that knowledge and those skills in the real world.
A background in STEM will give you confidence to consider jobs in industries beyond those usually associated with science and mathematics. Completing STEM It Up! will prepare you to continue on an academic path that leads to all STEM-related jobs.
This pre session is full at this time – thanks to all who registered!
Ramona Schescke, Member Services Manager