Cracking the Code on Stem: A People Strategy for Nevada\u27s Economy

Nevada has in place a plausible economic diversification strategy—and it’s beginning to work. Now, the state and its regions need to craft a people strategy. Specifically, the state needs to boost the number of Nevadans who possess at least some postsecondary training in the fields of science, technology, engineering, or math—the so-called “STEM” disciplines (to which some leaders add arts and design to make it “STEAM”). The moment is urgent—and only heightened by the projected worker needs of Tesla Motors’ planned “gigafactory” for lithium-ion batteries in Storey County. Even before the recent Tesla commitment, a number of the more high-tech industry sectors targeted by the state’s new economic diversification strategy had begun to deliver significant growth. Most notable in fast-growing sectors like Business IT Ecosystems (as defined by the Governor’s Office for Economic Development) and large sectors like Health and Medical Services, this growth has begun to increase the demand in Nevada for workers with at least a modicum of postsecondary training in one or more STE M discipline. However, there is a problem. Even though many available opportunities require no more than the right community college certificate, insufficient numbers of Nevadans have pursued even a little STEM training. As a result, too few Nevadans are ready to participate in the state’s emerging STEM economy. The upshot: Without concerted action to prepare more Nevadans for jobs in STEM-intensive fields, skills shortages could limit growth in the state’s most promising target industries and Nevadans could miss out on employment that offers superior paths to opportunity and advancement. Which is the challenge this report addresses: Aimed at focusing the state at a critical moment, this analysis speaks to Nevada’s STEM challenge by providing a new assessment of Nevada’s STEM economy and labor market as well as a review of actions that leaders throughout the state—whether in the public, private, civic, or philanthropic sectors—can take to develop a workforce capable of supporting continued growth through economic diversification

ACER Research Conference Proceedings (2016)

The focus of ACER’s Research Conference 2016 will be on what we are learning from research about ways of improving levels of STEM learning. Australia faces significant challenges in promoting improved science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) learning in our schools. Research Conference 2016 will showcase research into what it will take to address these challenges, which include: the decline in Australian students’ mathematical and scientific ‘literacy’; the decline in STEM study in senior school; a shortage of highly qualified STEM subject teachers, and curriculum challenges. You will hear from researchers who work with teachers to engage students in studying STEM-related subjects, such as engineering in primary school, and science and maths at all levels. You will learn how to engage both girls and boys in STEM learning, through targeted teaching, activities like gaming, and applying learning from neuroscience

Computer Programming Effects in Elementary: Perceptions and Career Aspirations in STEM

The development of elementary-aged students’ STEM and computer science (CS) literacy is critical in this evolving technological landscape, thus, promoting success for college, career, and STEM/CS professional paths. Research has suggested that elementary- aged students need developmentally appropriate STEM integrated opportunities in the classroom; however, little is known about the potential impact of CS programming and how these opportunities engender positive perceptions, foster confidence, and promote perseverance to nurture students’ early career aspirations related to STEM/CS. The main purpose of this mixed-method study was to examine elementary-aged students’ (N = 132) perceptions of STEM, career choices, and effects from pre- to post-test intervention of CS lessons (N = 183) over a three-month period. Findings included positive and significant changes from students’ pre- to post-tests as well as augmented themes from 52 student interviews to represent increased enjoyment of CS lessons, early exposure, and its benefits for learning to future careers

A STEM Literacy Program for Students in Secondary-Tertiary Transition to Reduce the Gender Gap: a Focus on the Students' Perception

This study concerns the design and implementation of a STEM literacy program for 11th to 13th-grade high achieving students, mainly females. The program, funded by the Italian Ministry of Equal Opportunities, aims at reducing the gender gap in the STEM disciplines and at orienting students towards university studies. We carried out a qualitative analysis of the students’ perception in terms of (1) a-priori expectations about the STEM literacy program and (2) a-posteriori thoughts and reflections about the attended course. Our analysis shows that students aspiring to participate had strong motivations with respect to the program; moreover, most students who participated in the program displayed satisfaction and an increase of awareness about their learning. We put a specific focus on the mathematical sessions of the curriculum, involving students as designers of educational resources. Some differences between male and female students arose for what concerns the perception of the program and the awareness of the impact of the STEM literacy program on their own learning

21st Century Skills: Evidence of Issues in Definition, Demand and Delivery for Development Contexts

The purpose of this study is to provide a summary of the evidence related to issues associated with the definition, demand, and delivery of 21st Century Skills, with a particular focus on low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In looking at definitions of ‘21st Century Skills’, Section 2 of this study finds that there is a broad range of available literature discussing 21st Century Skills, including a number of key synthesis studies. Within the examined literature, there is general agreement across the commentators on the need for new forms of learning to tackle global challenges. However, despite this consensus, there is no unique and single approach to the definition of ‘21st Century Skills’. In looking at the levels of demand for 21st Century Skills, evidence gathered in Section 3 suggests that the need for 21st Century Skills at the global level is dictated by a combination of factors including the change in societies resulting from the rapid spread of technology; increasing globalisation and internationalisation; and the shift from industrial social economies to information and knowledge-based social economies (Voogt & Roblin, 2010). Accordingly, evidence of demand at regional rather than the global level suggests a significant diversity in demand based on differences in developmental context. Findings presented in Section 4 suggest that approaches to the delivery of 21st Century Skills are currently impacted by ongoing discussions over the definition and understanding of 21st Century Skills (Care, Anderson & Kim, 2016). On this basis, while there is a broad range of documented interventions from around the world, many commentators conclude that it is currently little or no substantial evidence available on the most effective tools and approaches to delivering those skills. Section 5 concludes with a number of recommendations for proposed action in the development of regional and national programming for 21st Century Skills, and future research designed to strengthen the evidence base associated with levels of demand and approaches to the delivery of 21st Century Skills, particularly in LMICs

Innovative pedagogical practices in the craft of Computing

Computer programming, the art of actually instructing a computer to do what one wants, is fundamentally a practical skill. How does one teach this practical skill in a university setting, to students who may not be initially motivated to acquire it, and who may have a variety of past experience, or none at all? Furthermore, how does one do it in a resource-efficient way to large classes? Students are largely motivated by assessment: what is the best way to assess this skill? How does this skill relate to more abstract concepts like “computational thinking”? In this piece NTFs from very different universities explain their solutions

Evaluating Utah 4-H STEM Curricula Used to Promote STEM in Utah 4-H Programs

Evaluating curricula and resources used by extension professionals and 4-H volunteers to promote science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in Utah is critical to keeping with the 4-H standard of excellence for promoting positive youth development. This study aimed to determine if the Utah 4-H STEM curricula used to promote STEM in 4-H programs across Utah aligned with the 4-H STEM logic model