Secrets to Successfully Implementing a STEM Program

Google Forms

Collecting data and feedback from students regarding what they are looking for in a STEM program or what they believe needs to be improved is vital aspect of a successful STEM program. Nipmuc used Google Forms to conduct senior exit interviews. With Google Forms, you can create surveys with that allow for numerous forms of responses, such as multiple choice, short answer or paragraph. Responses to your surveys are automatically collected in Forms, with real time response info and charts. Having the ability to analyze how your students feel about what they are learning in your STEM program will help you make improvements and enhance your program each year.

SignUpGenius

Reaching out to your local business and colleges to support your STEM program is extremely helpful when planning your college and career fairs as well as creating career shadowing opportunities for students. SignUpGenius is a a free online software tool for volunteer management and event planning. Schools can use SignUPGenius to communicate your STEM needs to your community, such as career shadowing opportunities, college tours and other resources. With SignUPGenius, community members can sign up to provide those resources to your school.

Padlet

Having access to tools that will allow you to collaborate with your fellow STEM network community members and colleagues regarding ideas for your STEM program is extremely helpful. When teachers, administrators, and members of the community can share their goals and needs with one another, ideas and solutions are formed and programs are enhanced. Padlet is a digital whiteboard and blank collaboration space that allows users to contribute thoughts and ideas from their own devices onto the blank space for everyone to see. Using Padlet during your STEM program meetings may be helpful in ensuring everyone’s thoughts and ideas are being heard in regards to building your STEM program.

Poll Everywhere

Poll Everywhere is another digital tool schools can use to collect data from students and teachers regarding what they are looking for in a STEM program. With Poll Everywhere, users can respond to questions submitted to the Poll Everywhere app and answer via their mobile phones, Twitter or the web. Users can response by multiple choice or free response, and all responses can be viewed in real time.

8. Get your students on campus.

Colleges and universities are meant to prepare students for future careers, so why not get your students involved in STEM opportunities on college campuses?

Clements advised that schools should consider where they have connections to colleges and pick up the phone and connect with them.

“We had WPI as our connection. We met two professors who were willing to come out and help support research. They taught our kids how to conduct research through computers and another professor brought them out in the field for research.”

Members of your community STEM network may be professors themselves, or have connections with universities. Once you’ve established a few connections with colleges, set up some meetings to discuss what kinds of projects and opportunities your students can participate in while on campus, and then put these ideas into effect. These experiences are extremely valuable to not only your STEM program, but also your students’ futures.

“Juniors and seniors are getting a fast forward glance at who they might be in a few years,” said Clements.

Campus visits will get students excited about furthering their education in STEM and prepare them for the work ahead.

9. Establish a STEM college and career fair.

College and career fairs are a great way to introduce students to the different educational and career opportunities available to them after graduation. College and career fairs can also help establish your STEM network by creating connections with the local business and colleges you invite to the fairs.

“Reach out to collegiate partners and businesses, ask them to come to your school for a two hour fair to talk to kids about what they do and why they do it,” said Moran.

These conversations with colleges and businesses help to spark students’ interest in STEM careers. Nipmuc’s college and career fairs also include mock interviews after the fair, helping students experience the interview process and understand the responsibilities of STEM careers.

10. Market your achievements.

Marketing your students’ achievements in STEM learning is a helpful way to get to get the word out about the importance of STEM, and will also help to bring your school more resources and support from the community.
Clements and Moran suggested connecting with people who may have access to marketing resources. Furthermore, creating simple flyers with information about your school’s STEM program is also helpful in spreading the word to the rest of the community.
Nipmuc marketed its STEM program by producing a video that involved students writing on a white sign their aspirations and goals in regards to using STEM skills in the future.

STEM learning is a necessary part of students’ educational experiences, and students interested in STEM careers will greatly benefit from the opportunities a STEM program can provide them. Take into consideration Clement and Moran’s 10 tips for successful STEM integration and programming when implementing your STEM program to help provide your students with the resources and experiences they will need to be successful in a STEM career.

Watch Nipmuc Regional High School’s STEM video here.