Transforming STEM Education & San Antonio’s Workforce Engine for Global Competition

1. Transforming STEM Education & San Antonio’s Workforce Engine for Global Competition Northwest Vista College March 2, 2007

2. A National Conversation “This is a story about the big public conversation the nation is not having about education … whether an entire generation of kids will fail to make the grade in the global economy because they can't think their way through abstract problems, work in teams, (and) distinguish good information from bad …” Time Magazine, December 2006 Quoting the New Commission on the Skills of the American Workforce

3. Middle Schools After School Programs Two-Year Colleges High Schools Magnate Schools Summer Programs Four-Year Colleges Graduate Programs Academies Cities Policy Workforce Boards Counties Articulation Agreements Economic Developers States Assessment Services The Workforce Ecosystem INDUSTRY

4. Pressures on the Workforce Ecosystem Houston Community College organizing to graduate 500 bio-technicians Houston stands up Robotics Education Support Center Arlington organizing to recover manufacturing base with state grants “This is a story about the big public conversation the nation is not having about education … whether an entire generation of kids will fail to make the grade in the global economy because they can't think their way through abstract problems, work in teams, (and) distinguish good information from bad …” Time Magazine, December 2006 Quoting the New Commission on the Skills of the American Workforce Greater Chamber Survey indicates corporations hire IT graduates from outside San Antonio More Indian college graduates than U.S. high school graduates More English speakers in China than in the U.S.

5. STEM Education … • Is a critical issue for academia, governments and industries. • Underlies regional, national and global competitiveness. • Attracts industry to regions. • Is a basis for innovation. • Is the feeder system for initiatives in industry clusters.

6. The New Education / Workforce Ecosystem High School, Magnate, Academy (or is it College?) Middle School College / Workplace C O U N S E L I N G C O U N S E L I N G Integrated coursework and exploration Pathway Continuous planning and assessment … Holistic Assess- ment Pathway Continuous planning and assessment … Pathway Continuous planning and assessment …

7. What is SpaceTEAMS? A long-term, sustained effort to expose middle school students throughout San Antonio to STEM education, STEM career opportunities, and the entry points to related career pathways.

8. What is SpaceTEAMS? • Themed Around Our Nation’s Mission to Mars • Robotics Summer Camp • Teacher Training • Robotics Support Center • The SpaceTEAMS Online Virtual World

9. SpaceTEAMS 2006 Summer Camp 16 Teachers 49 Elementary, 46 Middle School Students from 4 Schools Building Robots Exposure to Mars Mission Four teams competing in the Spring Botball Tournament Funded from City of San Antonio Interlocal Agreement

10. Why Robotics? • Math • Mechanical engineering • Electrical engineering • Computer science • Architecture and design • Systems thinking • Teamwork • Art + Science • Established material providers • Engaging! (Cool Factor) • Competition factor

11. Teacher Training • Hands-on instruction in robotics systems • Apply lessons learned to mini-challenges • Using this technology to teach TEKS • Team development of units of study; published on SpaceTEAMS web site • Beta-test this in SpaceTEAMS

12. The Robotics Support Center Director hired by ACCD Robotics clearinghouse Outreach Regional tournament Interface to industry Connection to pipelines

13. SpaceTEAMS Online Virtual World Whyville Ion Engine Game Sponsored by NASA Some of Whyville’s Sponsors

14. 2006 Demographics

15. 2006 Achievements • Small team collaboration • Programming • Career exposure • Teacher – exposure to programming • Engineering robots for tournament tasks • Working robots • Tournament participation • Measurement: Perception of STEM

16. SpaceTEAMS: Today and Tomorrow

17. SpaceTEAMS Summary of Benefits STEM Education Career exploration Connect to opportunity Outreach and recruiting tool Workforce commitment Competitive global workforce

18. Transforming STEM Education & San Antonio’s Workforce Engine for Global Competition Northwest Vista College March 2, 2007

19. Needs Recruiting – interesting schools to contact Interesting teachers to contact Contacts of all types Be our PR agent Ideas for future grant funding targets Speaking opportunities

20. Educational Innovation – Trends • Career exploration • Career pathways • Curriculum alignment • Start earlier (middle school) • Blurring of the high school / college line • Community colleges driving “Pull them through” • The New Recruiting Paradigm

21. Why Robotics? Space Engineering Science Math Technology Arts

22. SpaceTEAMS Metrics Students in summer camp Students online School districts engaged Teachers trained Schools competing Students referred to pathway Students engaged in pathway

23. Who Is SpaceTEAMS?

24. Overview • The National Conversation on Education • The Educational / Workforce Ecosystem • What is SpaceTEAMS? • SpaceTEAMS: Today and Tomorrow