Teaching and Learning Branch

STEM Council Meeting Notes

P.S. DuPont Middle School, Wilmington

September 29, 2011

STEM Council members present: Ross Ambrecht, Dave Cadogan, Sharon Densler, Randolph Guschl, Donna Johnson Johnson, Ted Kaufman, Renee Parsley, Jennifer Ranji, George Reissig, Linda Rogers, Diana Roscoe, Kathryn Scantlebury, John Singer, Jud Wagner Wagner, Marian Wolak, Deborah Zych, and Annie Norman.

Guests: Steven Vanderloo, Pratyusha Gupta (both from Technology Student Association), and Mike Fitzgerald (DOE).

Jud Wagner welcomed everyone to the meeting. Informed the Council members that the Executive Committee has begun meeting with sub-committeesbetween the quarterly full Council meetings, and that aSummitis being discussed to occur in March 2012.

STEM Survey

Linda Rogers updated the Council as to the survey that was approved by Council to distribute to all school districts and charter schools. A good response of submissions had been received, and was anticipating receiving the remaining submissions within a timely manner. Once received, all results will be compiled for review by the Council.

Vision and Mission Statements

George Reissig opened the discussion on the STEM Vision and Mission statements. The mission statement is actually Governor Markell’s mission statement. Ted Kaufman requested comments.

Members discussed that the first sentence in the Vision statement was awkward. George Reissig responded that the vision was actually explained through the mission statement. Ted Kaufman explained that it was one of the sub-committee’s goals to canvas the nation and see what other states were doing to fulfill the Governor Markell’s goal of making Delaware a leader in STEM education. A status report needs to be completed to understand where Delaware rates with the rest of the nation. The next discussion raisedwas whether Delaware is in the process of providing a more rigorous curriculum and to offer a broader range of coursework opportunities for the students. These two items will be revisited and modified as the Council is trying to achieve its goals. A general consensus for a goal is for Delaware to be the state that other states refer to for guidance and work to emulate in STEM Education. The state of Delaware is already a leader in other areas but is lacking in this area. Delaware has a foundation to be great since one of our area charter schools isranked number 19 in the nation for Math and Science. As we move forward the Council will research other STEM programs that can be replicated in Delaware. It would be easier to adapt a program to meet the needs of Delaware. It is agreed to keep the vision and mission statement the same with a small change. A motion is made and seconded with all in favor of accepting the current statements.

Sub-Committees

Sub-committees are to work on objectives in their own committee in the interim and at the December meeting we will revisit and refine the goals and objectives. This is to be completed within 30 days of the Council meeting with submissions to be given to George Reissig for placement on the wiki.

Other Business

Jud Wagner recommended it was time to start thinking about the second survey to distribute to the school districts and charter schools. It was stated that school districts need assistance with defining what STEM actually is. A handout was distributed titled “What is STEM?” Donna Johnson gave an overview of what her sub-committee has been working on and the three goals for success in STEM according to the National Research Council. They were:

  1. Expand the number of students who ultimately pursue advanced degree and careers in STEM fields and broaden the participation of women and minorities in those fields.
  2. Expand the STEM-capable workforce and broaden the participation of women and minorities in that workforce.
  3. Increase STEM literacy for all students, including those who do not pursue STEM-related careers or additional study in the STEM disciplines.

Jud Wagner next addressedthe STEM workforce and distributed the “wordles” to go over. This brought up questions such as: Is STEM K – 12 or K – 20? What is the next step? Should a Tech Ed class be a requirement for graduation such as Maryland has done?

Ted Kaufmanmentioned that a survey went out to businesses 20 years ago asking what they wanted from their employees. The response back was that businesses wanted a problem solver and creative thinker to accomplish the work. It was recommended that a new survey be drafted to be distributed to the business community to see what their present needs are in the workforce.

Tech Ed has a partnership with the business industry in which it has an advisory council for schools to assist them with their partnership in the business community. Donna Johnson stated that there are no resources on her sub-committee request. Annie Norman supplied that libraries have a STEM Live guide, and most states have a universal collaboration. An inventory of library resources should be compiled. Ted Kaufman suggested having a meeting with business leaders to help facilitate getting the business community involved in STEM initiatives. George Reissig volunteered to analyze seven states and report back to the Council. The question “What is STEM?” is to be discussed at the December meeting. Donna Johnson also stated she would add a page to the wiki for ongoing discussion until the next meeting.

Tour of P.S. DuPont STEM Facilities

John Singer hosted a tour of the program area (3 classrooms and the fabrication lab) at the middle school.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Advisory Committee – Donna Johnson

Committee work and progress has been previously addressed earlier in the meeting.

Communications & Collaboration – George Reissig

Committee work and progress has been previously addressed earlier in the meeting. Agenda and meeting notes were distributed from the meeting held on July 29, 2011.

Higher Education – Kate Scantlebury

Committee is still in communication with Higher Education in Delaware.

Program Evaluation & Monitoring – Sharon Densler

Sharon Densler distributed the STEM Initiative Review from RTTT applications. The Council reviewed the report. It was determined that more initiatives definitely will need to be implemented at the middle school level. Initiatives have begun to be introduced in the elementary schools and high schools.

Women & Minorities – Randy Guschl

Committee is researching what material resources there are available for schools, and whether it is available to all students in all districts and charters. Meeting minutes from August 19, 2011 meeting were distributed and reviewed.

Grouping of students at the elementary school level could also facilitate the breakdown of women and minorities in high school AP or STEM classes. There is a stigma that “hands-on” learning is for males and that is an issue that needs to be addressed.

Wiki Presentation

Donna Johnson led a presentation on the use of the STEM wiki. The STEM wiki is a private wiki, and members must be invited to join or they must request permission to join. Only certain members of the Council have the authorization to accept requests to join the wiki. A page has been added for members to add their contact information on the Council Member page. Members are encouraged to regularly check the wiki for updates or to “follow” the page so an email could be sent when an update is available on the wiki. Ted Kaufman requested that all notes, opportunities, and anything else the Council members would like to have shared be posted on the wiki. The information will be sent to Jamie Cox via email so it can be loaded onto the wiki.

John Singer thanked everyone for coming to P.S. duPont Middle School and if anyone knows of another school that may be interested in observing their program and touring their facilities, please contacts him at the school.

Administrative Items

The next STEM Council meeting will be held on December 13, 2011 at Sussex Central Library from 2:00 – 4:00 PM.

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