STEM Youth Apprenticeship High School Students May

STEM Youth Apprenticeship & High School Students May 18, 2010 DWD Workforce Programs

Why do educators still use the same curriculum & ways of teaching?

What is STEM? Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math 1. One of 16 Career Clusters 2. An integrated Educational Approach

STEM as a Career Cluster • 16 Career Clusters developed in partnership with DOL, DOE, Business & Industry in 2001 • Transition from education to career • Blending academics in CTE classes based on knowledge & skills needed for career opportunities • Used mainly by CTE, Guidance, Work-based Learning programs and WI Technical Colleges

STEM as Integrated Education • Academics coupled with real-world lessons in application • Not a new name for traditional teaching of math & science • Provide for: • Scientists to do R&D for economic growth • Tech proficient workers in hi tech worksites • Scientifically literate citizenry

Why do we need STEM? Are we going to make everyone a scientist? • • Problem Solving skills Knowledge based economy Mid to Hi Skills jobs & careers Situate the US in the forefront of research, innovation and technology – Knowledge is widespread and low-cost labor is readily available globally

What about those kids who don’t care? Improving Dropouts’ Chances of Staying in School – Based on HS Dropout Responses • Opportunities for real-world learning to make classroom more relevant (81% agree) • Better teachers who keep classes interesting (81% agree) • Smaller classes with more individual instruction (75% agree) • Better communication between parents and school, get parents more involved (71% agree) • Parents make sure their kids go to school every day (71% agree) • Increase supervision at school; ensure students attend classes (70%) Source: Catherine Gewertz, “H. S. Dropouts Say Lack of Motivation Top Reason to Quit, ” Education Week, Vol. 25, No. 26. March 8, 2006. p. 14.

YA Program Purpose 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Legislated school-to-work program Managed by DWD Provide core Job and Industry-Wide skills Post-secondary educational advancement Integrate work-based learning in the school and worksite 6. Different from School To Work Co-Op and Youth Options • • • Apprentices exposed to an occupational cluster; not just 1 job Skills standardized statewide Not just taking a college class

YA Program Requirements 1. Paid on the job experience and learning 2. Uses skilled job-site mentors 3. Demonstrate skill competencies thru performance evaluation 4. YA Program Completion: • • • State issued skill certificate (DWD) HS diploma (HS) Credit at a Wisconsin TC (TC)

YA Program Timeframes 1. Two year program (Level II)- STANDARD 900 hours of work site learning 360 hours of related classroom instruction OR 2. One year program (Level I)- OPTION 450 hours of work site learning 180 hours of related classroom instruction

Current YA Programs in STEM Drafting & Design – Engineering – Core Abilities – Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) – Engineering Graphics – Principles of Engineering • Number of YAs: 29

Current YA Programs in STEM Biotechnology – Standards of Professionalism – Safety – Basic Lab Techniques – Specialty Lab Techniques • Microbiology, Cell Biology, Nucleic Acid, Protein, Biotech Research • Number of YAs: 21

NEW STEM YA proposed • Core Abilities • Safety • Engineering Pathway – Engineering Units • Science Pathway – Lab Units

Biotech YA in Dane County • Partnerships – Dane County School Consortium – Biopharmaceutical Technology Center (BTCI) – Wisconsin Technical College System – University of Wisconsin System • Technical Classroom/Worksite/Academic – Student Presentation (Ellyn Lipinski)

What can I do to get involved? • • ID student(s) interested in STEM programs Contact your local YA consortium coordinator Find an employer with coordinator ID classes to take http: //dwd. wisconsin. gov/youthapprenticeship/

Thank You! • Diane Kraus dkraus@dcsc. org; 608 -224 -7165 • Robin Kroyer-Kubicek robinkk@wi. rr. com; 920 -858 -1463