Board 275: Exploring the Impact of Industry Partnerships to Promote STEM Careers in Rural Middle Schools
- Conference
- Location
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Portland, Oregon
- Publication Date
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June 23, 2024
- Start Date
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June 23, 2024
- End Date
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July 12, 2024
- Conference Session
- Tagged Topic
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NSF Grantees Poster Session
- Permanent URL
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https://peer.asee.org/46849
Paper Authors
LaTricia Walker Townsend North Carolina State University
Dr. LaTricia Townsend is an independent research consultant at the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation at North Carolina State University. She has over 27 years of experience in the field of education. Her current work focuses on STEM education, increasing digital access, and improving educational equity for marginalized students.
Tameshia Ballard Baldwin North Carolina State University
Dr. Tameshia Ballard Baldwin is an Assistant Teaching Professor working jointly in the College of Engineering and in the Department of STEM Education within the College of Education at North Carolina State University. She earned a B.S. in Biological Engine
Micaha Dean Hughes North Carolina State University
Micaha Dean Hughes is a doctoral student in the Educational Psychology program in the Teacher Education and Learning Sciences department at North Carolina State University. Her research interests include community-engaged approaches to educational equity and access in STEM education, college recruitment and K-12 outreach practices for women and minoritized students in STEM, mathematical identity development for adolescents and young adults, and culturally sustaining STEM outreach assessment and evaluation.
Micaha received her Master of Science in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Education degree from the University of Kentucky College of Education, and her Bachelor of Science in Integrated Strategic Communication (Public Relations) from the University of Kentucky College of Communication and Information Studies. She worked as an undergraduate engineering recruiter and outreach director for five years prior to beginning her doctoral program.
Aaron Arenas North Carolina State University
Abstract
This paper will use a case-study approach to explore the role of industry partnerships and their impact on the implementation of a NSF Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST)-funded community-based engineering design course centered on advanced manufacturing. The three-part course for underrepresented middle school students in rural NC launched in 2020 and has served over 100 students to date. The project aims to allow students and teachers the opportunity to explore the full range of STEM advanced manufacturing career options available in their local community. Students learned STEM content as well as technical and job essential (soft) skills necessary for future employment; while, teachers boosted their knowledge of STEM, local STEM careers, and pedagogical skills. Industry partners developed a pipeline of STEM talent for future recruitment, expanded corporate outreach, and highlighted potential career opportunities within their company.
This project boasts meaningful industry partnerships with local companies including Pfizer, Cummins, Kaba Ilco Corporation, LS Cable & System, Hitachi, and Poppies International that allowed students to study three broad areas: energy systems, food process engineering, and pharmaceuticals. These partnerships were cultivated through intentional outreach with the school district and a regional STEM advocacy organization. Each participating partner was asked to actively engage in the project by acting as project advisors, collaborating on curriculum development, mentoring students, serving as invited guest speakers in the classroom, and hosting virtual and site tours of their manufacturing facilities. To ensure the industry partners remained engaged, project leaders provided clear and consistent communication through written updates and virtual meetings, offered multiple opportunities for participation, and solicited feedback designed to help improve the project.
Townsend, L. W., & Baldwin, T. B., & Dean Hughes, M., & Arenas, A. (2024, June), Board 275: Exploring the Impact of Industry Partnerships to Promote STEM Careers in Rural Middle Schools Paper presented at 2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Portland, Oregon. https://peer.asee.org/46849
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