2019 presentation of the LiFE: An Integrated Approach to Increase the Number of Women Pursuing Careers in STEM project at NSF INCLDUEShttps://digitalcommons.njit.edu/stemresources/1018/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 2019 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 LiFE: An Integrated Approach to Increase the Number of Women Pursuing Careers in STEM (2019)Award 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 TechnologyProject partners: Apple, US ARMYEvaluator: Cindy Blitz, Executive Director of the Center for Effective School PracticesVisionNeed to increase the numbers of women persisting in STEM pathwaysLiFE fosters interest, engagement, and collaboration, for women in STEM.Develop STEAM 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 join a network to support women to pursue STEM careersmake visible 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, Weehawken – New: Long Branch, NewarkLiFE CollaboratorsUS Army – leadership, role models, design challengeApple - educational technology and software training, professional developmentNJ School Boards Association – connections to all NJ districtsNJ Department of Education and Future Ready Schools-NJ - connects to hundreds of NJ education leadersNJIT orgs.: Murray Center for Women in Technology, Society for Women Engineers, Educational Opportunity Program, Society of Hispanic Engineers, National Society of Black Engineers, Albert Dorman Honors College, Female faculty across the school.Goals/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) Investigate with teachers STEM projects to be offered and resources needed to accomplish effective STEM projects suited to their specific community and situation4) Investigate interventions for broader participation of young women with an integrated program of iSTEAM activities and skillbuilding experiences.5) Determine the effectiveness of the LiFE project activities.6) 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 the backbone organization and 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 supportPartner Quarterly Meetings provide strategic direction, build partnership, discuss process, schedules, successes, needs, and challengesIn progress initiatives:Bi-monthly Student Teleconference with each other & STEM professionals.Students-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 modelsExpansion, Sustainability, ScaleLiFE playbook will provide best practices, case studies, and customizable materials. To expand, we will recruitDedicated elementary school educators, STEM-focused college students and non-profits willing to volunteer, Universities that promote service education, Private and public organizations working to promote STEM.To sustain and scaleForm steering committee Add new partnersEngage with other NSF projects ERCs, STEM for All ShowcaseOutcomes2018 Summer Institute – designed to address desires of participating teachersMost useful: tech. training, the hands‐on activities, and planning club activitiesBetter understood expectations of them as club leadersIncreased STEM knowledge and gave new approaches to teachingGained support from interactions5 Clubs - 4 Schools - 3 School Districts – Over 150 kids – in 1st yearOversubscribed clubs in Hillside had two half year sessionsWeehawken policy required parallel club for boys8 STEAM Tank Teams – 3 successful in regionals will go to the finals in Oct. 20193/14/2019 Pi Day ~ 200 girls, including new school district of Long BranchIncluded student presentations/posters of their projects5/29/2019 Liberty Science Center Girls’ Summit culmination eventPrivate IMAX showing of Dream Big:Challenges: 2 of the 3 districts had change of superintendent2 teachers could not fulfill the year – one due to health; one was let goReorganization coming in one district will lead to expanding clubs to 2nd grade

LiFE: An Integrated Approach to Increase the Number of Women Pursuing Careers in STEM

https://digitalcommons.njit.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1018&context=stemresources

LiFE: An Integrated Approach to Increase the Number of Women Pursuing Careers in STEM

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