Pockets of Innovation: Career Exploration Example

Name: Alamo STEM Workforce Coalition (ASWC)

Location: San Antonio

Courses or Programs: Middle and high school math and science courses

Supports and Partnerships: Nepris

Overarching Goals: 1) Encourage students to select STEM careers and 2) help students understand what it takes to be a successful employee in STEM occupations.

Activities:

·  Teacher Externships Project

Middle and high school math and science teachers engage in summer externships with local companies and organizations in the STEM field. These externships are considered professional development for these teachers and can count towards license renewal requirements. Through these externships, math and science teachers learn about where and how their academic content is applied in workforce settings. These teachers also learn about the critical competencies and skills needed in these STEM professions, such as teamwork, communication, problem solving, responsibility, and ethics. By participating in these externships, math and science teachers build their capacity to promote STEM career awareness among their students, integrate real-world applications into their lessons, and promote development of key employability skills for STEM occupations.

·  Virtual Tours for Students Project

Using the Nepris system, math and science teachers utilize class time to virtually bring in STEM experts from across the country as guest speakers and instructors. These experts provide virtual tours of their facilities and workspaces, describe their path to their current occupation, and discuss the credentials, knowledge, skills, and competencies needed to be successful in their job or field. Students also have opportunities to ask questions and engage in discussions with these experts in real time. Through these presentations and discussions, students build a more concrete understanding of what STEM careers look like, what education and training is required, and what the benefits and challenges of these professions are.

Center on Great Teachers and Leaders Document Title—3