Workshop Objective
The objective of this workshop was to increase participant awareness of the breadth of opportunities in STEM careers for all students, and prepare participants to share these opportunities and options using positive language that is attractive to students.
Workshop Materials
STEM Career Search Link Handout (Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook & Science Buddies)
STEM Career Scavenger Hunt Blank Activity Sheets
Grand Challenges of Engineering for the 21st Century PDF Book
Changing the Conversation – Positive Engineering Messages (Executive Summary)
Tools for STEM Career Searches
Science Buddies
Want to know more about careers in STEM? Browse through detailed information on over 100 careers to discover what STEM professionals really do and what it takes to prepare for these careers. Each career profile provides basic career information such as salary, job outlook, degree requirements, etc. Also included are videos featuring interviews with real scientists or on the job profiles. Explore now!
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook
(includes median pay data, entry level education requirement, and job descriptions for occupations in each of fields)
[list3]<li>Engineering & Architecture</li>
<li>Computer and Information Technology</li>
<li>Life, Physical, and Social Science</li>
Job Salary Calculator
The Salary Calculator will ask you for information relating to education, employment history, and other factors, to create the most accurate compensation and employment guidance available. Excellent tool for comparing various levels of education, jobs, and locations.
General Resources on STEM
Grand Challenges for Engineering
The NAE Committee on Engineering’s Grand Challenges has identified 14 areas awaiting engineering solutions in the 21st century. Watch a video here. Download the PDF here.
STEM-Works
STEM-Works is a companion website to Kids Ahead for adults. This website serves as resource for adults looking to find ways to get kids excited about science and engineering disciplines and includes activities, games, articles, events to get involved in and more!
STEM Connector
With more than 5000 STEM stakeholders’ profiles, the purpose of STEMConnector.org is to map the STEM Education activity of organizations and all states. Organizational profiles are under major categories: Business, government, associations, diversity and women and education. Major subject areas are available and cross-referenced. Research is intensive as the profiles are updated and the site includes a searchable database. The STEMconnector® database has given the STEM community a giant resource and a tool to establish partnerships with a broad cross section of organizations working in STEM Education to increase connectivity in regions through working relationships. The site is a growing resource with subject areas added and updated regularly. STEMdaily®, STEM Results, STEM publications and a STEMconnector® Blog and social media are key features.
Changing the Conversation
The goal of the Changing the Conversation website is to promote broad implementation by the engineering community of the findings and recommendations presented in the 2008 NAE report, Changing the Conversation: Messages for Improving Public Understanding of Engineering.
Infographic: The Value of a STEM Education
Knowledge in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) can be the key to a successful future. Here’s why a STEM education matters and how you can inspire students to pursue STEM careers: Download an INFOGRAPHIC by Edutopia.
Tools & Tips for Student Engagement
Speaker Bureaus
- High Tech High Heels: The mission of the Speakers Bureau is to inspire and encourage students, especially under-represented minorities, to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields. Volunteers are ready to share with students why they love working in STEM careers, to explain to students the impact they can have on the world by working in STEM, and to show students the diversity of real-life women and men in STEM. Request a volunteer for your class or school.
- Destination Digital – DFW Technology & Education Council – Speaker Bureau
Spark 101
Kids Ahead
The Kids Ahead website is an initiative to increase the number of kids with science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) competencies and interests. The site is designed to inspire young people to learn about STEM through innovative interactions in the physical and virtual worlds. Let them explore!
Engineer Girl
The EngineerGirl website is designed to bring national attention to the exciting opportunities that engineering represents for girls and women. Helps students understand who engineers are, what they do, and how to become one.
Engineering Activities
[list3]<li>Teach Engineering</li>
<li>PBS Kids Design Squad Activities</li>
<li>The National Center for Technological Literacy® (NCTL®) has been helping to educate children and adults in a variety of educational settings since 2004. This Museum of Science, Boston initiative is active nationwide via partnerships that seek to raise awareness and understanding of engineering in schools and museums. Find K-12 curriculum to engage students. </li> [/list3]
Engineer Your Life: a guide to engineering careers for high school girls!
Engineer Your Life! Imagine what life would be like without pollution controls to preserve the environment, life-saving medical equipment, or low-cost building materials for fighting global poverty. All this takes engineering. In very real and concrete ways, women who become engineers save lives, prevent disease, reduce poverty, and protect our planet. Dream Big. Love what you do. Become an engineer. Tools for counselors & parents, too!
FREE Downloadable Resources by High Tech High Heels
Engineering Focus – an eReader summary of key messages
In a newsletter style format, these e-readers are quick and simple overviews of the messaging we want to use when talking to students, particularly young women, about careers in Engineering. The first volume of Engineering Focus is designed to prepare readers to advocate for engineering to a variety of audiences, with the goal of increasing the number of students entering engineering. There are three issues designed to prepare speakers, parents, and educators to advocate careers in engineering to girls.
Presentations & Worksheets (Engineering)
Preparing to speak to high school girls? Download a presentation designed to encourage high school girls who are already interested in math and science to pursue an education and career in engineering. Student worksheet and speaker’s notes included. Pick and choose the slides you want depending on the length of your presentation.
Preparing to speak to parents of high school girls? Download a presentation designed to show parents the exciting opportunities for girls in engineering, and highlight of some of the roadblocks their daughters might face on the way to these careers. Parent worksheet and speaker’s notes included. Pick and choose the slides you want depending on the length of your presentation.