STEM Education in Colorado

1. STEM Education in Colorado Violeta Garcia, PhD STEM Education Coordinator April 2013

2. Together We Can 2 Vision All students in Colorado will become educated and productive citizens capable of succeeding in a globally competitive workforce. Mission The mission of CDE is to shape, support, and safeguard a statewide education system that prepares all students for success in a globally competitive world.

3. Goals Successful students Prepare students to thrive in their education and in a globally competitive workforce. • Ensure every student is on track to graduate postsecondary and workforce ready. • Increase achievement for all students and close achievement gaps. • Ensure students graduate ready for success in postsecondary education and the workforce. • Increase national and international competitiveness for all students. Great teachers and leaders Ensure effective educators for every student and effective leaders for every school and district. • Increase and support the effectiveness of all educators. • Optimize the preparation, retention, and effectiveness of new educators. • Eliminate the educator equity gap. Outstanding schools and districts Build the capacity of schools and districts to meet the needs of Colorado students and their families. • Increase school and district performance. • Turnaround the state’s lowest performing districts and schools. • Foster innovation and expand access to a rich array of high quality school choices for students. Best education system in the nation Build the best education system in the nation. • Lead the nation in policy, innovation, and positive outcomes for students. • Operate with excellence, efficiency, and effectiveness to become the best SEA in the nation. • Attract and retain outstanding talent to CDE. Students Educators Schools/ Districts State 3

4. Students Educators Schools/ Districts 4

5. Colorado Race to the TopSTEM Elements October 2012

6. Background: Race to the Top Phase 3 • Total Grant & Awardees • $200 million awarded to seven of the nine unfunded finalists from Phase 2 Competition • CO, LA, KY, AZ, IL, PA, NJ • Applications had to select activities from Phase 2 • Colorado’s Share • $17.9 million over four years (Dec 2011-Dec 2015) • $8.9 million state share • $8.9 million local share • Disbursed based on Title 1A share 6

7. Key Components of the Grant “The power of Colorado’s agenda—and the driving force behind this application—lies in the connection and integration of these four concepts. “ Integration of Reform Efforts: Leveraging & expanding statewide capacity

8. Funding for Each Component at the State Level

9. Focus of STEM RTTT Work • Ensure integration of STEM content in instructional tools and resources • Create the STEM in Action program • Grant program to begin in 2012-13 school year • Connect educators and students to STEM opportunities • Priority on reaching traditionally underserved populations and reducing proficiency gaps for these student groups 9

10. Allowable STEM Activities for RTTT LEAs Integrate STEM content across curriculum Provide professional development to LEA staff using applied STEM content Connect educators with STEM resources outside of the classroom 10

11. Content Collaboratives Review of assessments for possible use in Colorado classrooms through the Content Collaboratives. The work of the Content Collaboratives is supported through RTTT funds and the STEM Coordinator was a key member of the math and science content groups 11

12. Colorado Districts Sample Curricula • The STEM Coordinator is a member of CDE’s Office of Teaching and Learning and has been deeply involved in the development of teacher-created STEM integrated sample curricula. • Samples for 1st, 8th, and HS. • Goal is to create one STEM integrated unit sample per grade level P/K-12 during our next workshop May 8th-10th. • The final phase of Colorado’s District Sample Curriculum Project will: • Bring together Colorado teachers and district leaders to create instructional units based on the curriculum samples • Produce at least one full instructional unit at every grade and for every content area that reflects a model of educators working together to plan for the instruction of all students 12

13. Curriculum An organized plan of instruction that engages students in mastering the standards Standards Textbooks Instructional Materials Resources

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15. STEM Instructional Resources • Creation of a STEM Integration video • This presentation contains a brief definition of STEM, STEM integration, and explains 10 different modes of integration. • Unique features of STEM Samples • This presentation provides an overview of the STEM samples and the unique components. It features the 8th grade sample: Creating a Safer World. • Partnership with eNetColorado to create • A library of STEM resources • A hub for all the STEM curriculum samples • A map with all of the STEM programs throughout the state. 15

16. STEM in Action Subgrant Launched with the release of a Request for Proposals on February 6, 2013. The focus of this program is on building the capacity of teachers and providing opportunities for teachers and students to connect to STEM opportunities outside of their classrooms to support their curriculum within their schools. The program is designed to engage populations traditionally underrepresented in STEM fields in rural areas through partnerships between school districts, community organizations and postsecondary education programs. Initial awards will be made on May 2013. 16

17. Purpose • The purpose of the STEM in Action grant program: • To create great experiences in STEM placing the learner (k-12 student) at the center of the experience. • To build the capacity of teachers to meaningfully connect science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning inside and outside of the classroom. • To connect educators and students to the everyday work of scientists, engineers, high-tech workers, and researchers in Colorado’s labs, universities, museums, and companies. • One possibility: the development of STEM-related resources such as videos, virtual field trips, video conferencing and other multimedia. 17

18. Purpose (cont.) • Priority for consideration • Programs that will serve students historically underrepresented in STEM careers who live in rural areas • Populations historically underrepresented in STEM (Girls/women, Latino, African American/Black, and Native American Students) from other areas in Colorado • Students in rural areas who have little or no exposure to STEM experiences 18

19. Needs and Assets 19 (Strickland, 2010)

20. Needs and Assets 20 (Strickland, 2010)

21. Needs and Assets 21 (Strickland, 2010)

22. Partnerships • Creation of partnerships to inspire students in STEM through experiential learning • The framework is predicated on the logic that great experiences in STEM learning requires the active partnership of industry, education, and the community as illustrated in the diagram • Industry can include organizations that represent business sectors or non-profits • Community can include community organizations, or informal education institutions (e.g., museums, libraries, higher education) Student experiences in STEM 22

23. When we intentionally integrate… Coherent and rigorous academic standards Innovative and engaging learning options Supported and effective educators Aligned and meaningful assessments Statewide and district accountability Expanding Student Learning We can personalize learning and ignite the potential of every student. 23

24. Questions? Violeta Garcia, PhD STEM Education Coordinator Garcia_V@cde.state.co.us April 2013 24