2018 Poster presentation for the Leadership and iSTEAM for Females in Elementary Schools (LiFE), project, NJIThttps://digitalcommons.njit.edu/stemresources/1017/thumbnail.jp

Bukiet, Bruce G

Lipuma, James

Steffen-Fluhr, Nancy

English

Digital Commons @ New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT)

New Jersey Institute of Technology Digital Commons @ NJIT STEM for Success Resources STEM for Success 2018 Leadership and iSTEAM for Females in Elementary Schools (LiFE): An Integrated Approach to Increase the Number of Women Pursuing Careers in STEM Bruce G. Bukiet James Lipuma Nancy Steffen-Fluhr Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.njit.edu/stemresources  Part of the Education Commons, and the Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons Leadership and iSTEAM for Females in Elementary Schools (LiFE):An Integrated Approach to Increase the Number of Women Pursuing Careers in STEMAward No 1744490 Bruce Bukiet, Associate Dean, College of Science and Liberal ArtsJames Lipuma, Director Collaborative for Leadership, Education, and Assessment ResearchNancy Steffen-Fluhr, Director of the Murray Center for Women in TechnologyEvaluator: Cindy Blitz, Executive Director of the Center for Effective School PracticesCOMING APRIL 2018VisionWomen earn about 20% of engineering and computing degreesNeed to increase the numbers of women persisting in STEM pathwaysLiFE fosters interest, engagement, and collaboration, for women in STEM.Develop STEM clubs for elementary school girls that leverage: hands-on, minds on, exploration STEM activities community inspired grand design challenges collaborative teams showcasing their solutions at annual event mentoring by female role modelsbuilding communication skills, teamwork, leadershipsummer professional development program and more Create a playbook showing how any educator, anywhere can: foster broader participation in STEM form a network backbone to support women to pursue STEM careersmake visible to the many pathways to a successful future in STEMPartnershipsDiverse set of NJ School Districts: • Hillside – home of the Girls Rock Science Club LiFE is built on• Morris Plains • WeehawkenUSArmy – leadership, female engagement team, role models, design challengeApple - educational technology and software training, professional developmentNJIT Affiliated Groups - Murray Center for Women in Technology, Society for Women Engineers, Educational Opportunity Program, Society of Hispanic Engineers, National Society of Black Engineers, the Albert Dorman Honors College, Center for Pre-College Programs and the JerseySTEM education outreach club. Female faculty from departments of Architecture & Design, Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry, History,  Humanities, Math, Physics and Theater and moreGoals/Metrics/EvaluationObjectives:1) Understand the current state of the Girls Rock Science club2) Determine from students the types of projects and activities in STEM that interest them3) Determine from teachers STEM projects to be offered and resources needed to accomplish effective STEM projects suited to their specific community and situationFormative and Summative Assessment1) Investigate interventions for broader participation of young women with an integrated program of meaningful iSTEAM activities and skillbuilding experiences in a collaborative framework.2) Study whether replicating the Girls Science Club concept in districts with various demographics and integrating iSTEAM and skill-building helps girls' interest in STEM to persist.3) Determine if continuing the LiFE Clubs through grade 6 increases persistence in STEM interest.Methods: E.g., Standardized test scores, Attitude surveys, Skill development, Activity participation and artifact creationLeadership/CommunicationNJIT serves as collaboration/communication hub to foster shared leadership.Consistent and continuous communication among partners, and iterative feedback to make continuous quality improvement in project designPartners bring together knowledge, assets and resources to gather and develop materials, and procedures for iSTEAM projects for LiFE membersEach district LiFE team develops and customizes girls clubs (recruitment, meeting frequency and timing) to community particulars, share and supportBi-monthly Student Teleconference with each other & STEM professionals.Partner Quarterly Meetings provide strategic direction, build partnership, discuss process, schedules, successes, needs, and challengesStudents-teach-students STEAM - Twice annually via video link, club members “teach” students in other clubs about projects, facilitated by NJITVirtual and in-person visits by role modelsPrior to LiFE launch Partner meetings/events/ planning accomplishedExpansion, Sustainability, ScaleProject leadership’s prior collaborations will promote scale-upWe have held events with or performed education, digital learning projects• NJ School Boards Association – connections to all NJ districts• NJ Department of Education and Future Ready Schools-NJ - connects to hundreds of NJ education leaders• New Jersey Black Mayors Alliance for Social Justice – connections to increase participation of underrepresented minorities• Apple and Army• Other National Organizations:• Junior Achievement, Latinas in STEM, Lego Education• NJIT Faculty, Steering CommitteeLiFE Playbook will be created with best practices and directions how to develop all the aspects of LiFE, replicate it and customize it for any community Outcomes? What we’ve done so far Goal is to develop the Playbook to replicate LiFE in any community with:Dedicated elementary school educators, STEM-focused college students and non-profits willing to volunteer, Universities that promote service education, Technology for virtual meetings, Private and public organizations working to promote STEM .The playbook will provide best practices, case studies, and mechanisms to customize generic templates and programs on diverse topics for the demographicTimeline of Events relevant to LiFE since award with PI team involvement:9/26/2017 K-12 Collaboration for Broader Impacts – spread Life message to NJIT Faculty9/29/2017 and 10/11/2017 Leadership Colloquia: Introduction to goal oriented Distributed Leadership and Personal action plan for leadership and success -- spread info re: LiFE among NJIT undergrads10/18/2017 STEAM-Art Intersects Science – HS students visit NJIT re: connections to art from scientists10/23-26/2017 NJ School Boards Association Workshop 2017 – participation in STEAM Tank finals11/17/2017 Invest in Yourself: Fellowship, Service, & Mentoring - women’s panel for NJIT undergrads12/19/2017 iSTEAM Day- 100 fourth graders from LiFE schools participate – see comments on side and several pictures on this poster3/14/2017 Pi Day - ~200 students from LiFE elementary schools will participate in a day of iSTEAM3/23/2017 Women Designing the Future - The Environment: Doing More with Less annual NJIT event featuring women professional leaders3/27/2017 Cradle to Career Summit – promote K-20 collaboration among educators interested in Future Ready Schools, iSTEAM and the Maker movement4/1/2018 LiFE BEGINSFeedback on iSTEAM Day for Elementary School:“The … program was a great success. I greatly appreciate your communication, coordination, and support providing our students an incredible learning experience. They had a wonderful time. The students were engaged, enthusiastic, and enjoyed the learning experience. The group facilitators (NJIT staff) were fantastic with the students. Overall, it was a highly effective program.” Mark Maire Superintendent, Morris Plains School District“The LiFE activity at NJIT on December 19th was an excellent opportunity for students and staff to engage in hands-on, minds-on problem based learning activities. The mixed grouping of students helped to enhance their level of engagement and the opportunity to make new friends. Led by a facilitator at each station, the activities were relevant, authentic and hooked the students into thinking and doing.The opportunity to exchange ideas with other educators from across northern NJ was invaluable for my staff. We look forward to implementing the collective best practices documented by the teams.” Antoine Gayles Superintendent, Hillside Public Schools

Leadership and iSTEAM for Females in Elementary Schools (LiFE): An Integrated Approach to Increase the Number of Women Pursuing Careers in STEM

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Leadership and iSTEAM for Females in Elementary Schools (LiFE): An Integrated Approach to Increase the Number of Women Pursuing Careers in STEM

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