Over the past few days we’ve witnessed some remarkable reactions from students, parents, and teachers participating in STEM CAD 2015.
Washington, DC (PRWEB) October 23, 2015
The STEM Innovation Task Force (SITF) - an initiative of STEMconnector® - is facilitating a nationwide program designed to engage and educate high-school students about career opportunities of in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The program, STEM Career Accelerator Day (#STEMCAD2015), takes place this week across 26 different corporate facilities, universities and community colleges, government centers, festivals, and virtual platforms. According to early estimates, the 2015 program will reach approximately 15,500 students, 400 teachers, 500 parents, and 400 employee volunteers.
Tonie Leatherberry of Deloitte and 2015 Chair commented, “Over the past few days, we’ve witnessed some remarkable reactions from students, parents, and teachers participating in STEM CAD 2015. Thank you and congratulations to everyone for your hard work, passion, and service to developing the next generation STEM workforce!”
The 2015 timeframe for STEM Career Accelerator Day was expanded to a week; a move intended to provide more calendar flexibility for a diverse range of participating organizations. The structure and content of each individual program is designed and implemented by the host organization to provide proven high-quality educational programs. Common elements of #STEMCAD2015 include hands-on experiential learning activities, interaction with STEM professionals, and guidance on navigating STEM education and career pathways. STEM Career Accelerator Day unites the various programs across the country through a coordinated communications platform, universal evaluation tool and common timeframe.
Edie Fraser, CEO of STEMconnector, shed light on the national program, “We recognize the unique experience and value that each participating organization brings to the table. Whether it’s a career in food science, additive manufacturing, or even space exploration. The opportunities for students in STEM are incredibly rewarding. STEM CAD 2015 provides a vehicle for students to explore the multitude of possibilities out there.”
One of the primary goals of the program is to engage young women and underrepresented minorities; particularly groups that haven’t been previously exposed to extra-curricular STEM programming. Approximately 60% of the student participants in 2015 will be from populations who are underrepresented in the STEM fields. The evaluation tool aims to measure and capture data on increases in STEM awareness, understanding the application of coursework, and student plans for post-secondary education and future career interests.
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Participating organizations include: Campbell Soup Company; Dassault Systemes; Deloitte; Des Moines Area Community College; Hawkeye Community College; Inspired Classroom; James Dyson Foundation; Learning Blade; Micron Foundation; Montana STEMfest; NASA Goddard Flight Center; North State STEM; PepsiCo; Reebok; SkillsUSA; Sodexo; Spark 101; STEMconnector; Tata Consultancy Services; Teach For America; University of Memphis; University of Phoenix; Walmart.