Opening Session

Leveraging Optimism to Benefit STEM Learning

As the pandemic continues and times remain uncertain and constantly changing, educators and students alike are feeling the strain, worry, and fatigue. Now more than ever we need to provide strategies to teachers and out-of-school time professionals so they feel the support they deserve and are empowered to assist the learning and well-being of their students. Join the PEAR team as they explore the natural integration of STEM and social emotional development (SED) and discuss how optimism as an SED skillset is not static but rather can be strengthened to benefit STEM learning environments. The team will provide practical approaches and will also discuss the professional development workshops they are offering in three key areas for schools and afterschool programs as they prepare to support the learning, social-emotional, and mental health needs of youth during the 2020-21 academic year.

Presenters:

• Dr. Gil Noam, Partnerships in Education and Resilience (PEAR)
• Kristin Lewis-Warner, M.Ed., Partnerships in Education and Resilience (PEAR)
• Jamaal Williams, Partnerships in Education and Resilience (PEAR)

RESILIENCY, AGILITY & PRODUCTIVITY: PRACTICAL ACTIONS FOR WORKPLACE CONTINUITY

This session guides you to be firm and flexible in response to the accelerating pace of change and unexpected conditions. This conversation explores Future Readiness and describes a model of Mindfulness, Learning, Adapting, Growing and Transforming. Drawing on principles from a positive mindset and managing change, we will focus on responding to change, developing agility and adapting to new circumstances and experiences. Resilience is not extraordinary or unattainable, everyone can learn how to navigate by re-framing your mindset, shifting your thinking and forming new habits.

PRESENTER: Pamela Sammarco, CEO, Green Training Associates LLC

FOCUS AREAS: Systems that Sustain the Work, Social Emotional Development

WORKFORCE EXPLORATION IN THE VIRTUAL WORLD (MEDICAL FIELD AND MANUFACTURING)

As the number of high schools encouraging students to explore internships and other workbased learning opportunities has grown, so has the need for information about how to get the process started. This session will highlight strategies for engaging young adults in career exploration with examples from both the medical and manufacturing industries.

PRESENTERS: Dr. Steven Player, Executive Director, Diversity, Inclusion & Community Engagement, Barnes-Jewish Hospital: Jennifer Irvin, MHSA, CCHW BJC School Outreach and Youth Development School-Community Education Partner, BJC HealthCare: Beonica Rutherford-Frazier, Project Director Work-Based Learning and Apprenticeships Bossier Parish Community College

ECOSYSTEMS: North Louisiana STEM Alliance and STEM STL

FOCUS AREAS: Systems that Sustain the Work, Workforce Development, Virtual Pivots

CREATE STEM PATHWAYS FOR ALL STUDENTS THROUGH QUALITY CURRICULUM AND DEVELOPING STEM TEACHER EXPERTS

Each of the 4 LSU STEM Pathways consists of a specialized progression of up to 8 project-based high school courses that prepare students for both college and career. Students can earn industry-based credentials in areas related to engineering, computer science, and robotics and have dual enrollment opportunities. By addressing the STEM needs of university and career-tech bound students simultaneously, this blended approach improves the socioeconomic disparities present in our bifurcated education systems that channel students into college or career training. Come learn more about our frameworks for STEM college and career readiness.

PRESENTER: Vanessa Begat

ECOSYSTEMS: Baton Rouge STEM Learning Network

FOCUS AREAS: Connections to Learning, Career Pathways, Equity

SYSTEMIC DISTRICTS – ENSURING STEM FOR ALL

It’s 2020. If we can’t have flying cars, we should at least have STEM access for all students. We’ve seen districts make historic shifts to meet new constraints and now is the time to support districts serving a high percentage of low income students of color to leverage this moment for long-needed systemic change–ensuring STEM access for ALL. Learn about strategies and tools that 2 California ecosystems are using to plan and implement STEM integration K-12. Preload your questions on this Padlet: http://bit.ly/SDSJE2E and join us to test drive some (also non-flying) tools.

PRESENTERS: Christina O’Guinn, Senior Director, Educational Partnerships, The Tech Interactive: Shery Burch STEM Pathways Project Manager, The Tech Interactive

ECOSYSTEM: Region 5 STEAM Ecosystem

FOCUS PILLARS: Cross-Sector Partnerships, Connections to Learning, Workforce Development, Equity

CASE STUDIES FOR ALL

Case studies provide valuable insight into potential pathways for STEM Learning ecosystems (SLEs) to transform STEM education models and generate hypotheses to inform future studies on a larger scale. However, formal case studies are very time-consuming, expensive and most programs lack the capacity to conduct such in-depth investigations with any frequency. Fortunately, many of the functions of a case study can be captured on a more practical scale. Join the PEAR team as they discuss the value of case studies and review a simpler, more accessible case study collection and reporting system with a backbone based in factual information (data). Come learn more about how to tell your ecosystem’s unique story through data and reporting.

PRESENTER: Dr. Gil Noam, PEAR; Kristin Lewis-Warner, PEAR

FOCUS AREAS: Measurement of Prgress