Penn College awarded grant to expand STEM workforce
Published 02.23.2023
News
Faculty & Staff
Innovation & STEM
A grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Education will help Pennsylvania College of Technology inspire middle school educators to share STEM career paths with students.
The college will engage middle schools in 10 rural counties comprising the northcentral region of the state, thanks to a $314,440 PAsmart Advancing K-12 Computer Science & STEM Education grant. The goals of the initiative are to expose educators, students and parents to the realities, demands and opportunities of today’s technologically sophisticated workforce.
“We are extremely grateful for this grant, which will enhance our efforts to connect with students and their key career influencers regarding the abundant, rewarding possibilities that await in STEM,” said Tanya Berfield, director of K-12 outreach at Penn College. “Studies show that the middle school years are formative in terms of students’ career development. With that in mind, it’s vital that STEM occupations are considered, as students lay the groundwork for the type of courses they will pursue in high school.”
The Governor’s Task Force projects that over the next decade more than 70% of new jobs will require skills associated with science, technology, engineering and math. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts that STEM occupations will grow more than double the rate of all professions by 2029. According to the BLS, the median annual salary for STEM occupations was $95,420 in May 2021, compared to $40,120 for non-STEM jobs.
The grant – STEM Careers Re-Imagined: An Industry and Education Collaborative – will facilitate immersive externships at Penn College for middle school educators. Two weeklong events will expose educators to the manufacturing and construction fields, introduce them to new Pennsylvania K-12 Science Standards and support the creation of 3D learning activities to teach the standards.
College faculty and staff – with assistance from industry representatives – will lead the externships. Upon completion, participants will receive a mobile lab kit to encourage student engagement activities at their home school. Students’ eventual hands-on experiences will culminate in an annual showcase where they can demonstrate new STEM skills for industry and education partners.
Materials also will be shared with parents to increase their awareness of STEM career opportunities.
The initiative is available to 43 middle schools in the following counties: Bradford, Clinton, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Potter, Snyder, Sullivan, Tioga and Union. Up to two educators from each school will be invited to participate in the externships.
“We are hopeful that many educators will take advantage of this opportunity,” Berfield said. “The lasting benefits for their students could be priceless.”
Penn College is a national leader in applied technology education. Email the Admissions Office or call toll-free at 800-367-9222.
The college will engage middle schools in 10 rural counties comprising the northcentral region of the state, thanks to a $314,440 PAsmart Advancing K-12 Computer Science & STEM Education grant. The goals of the initiative are to expose educators, students and parents to the realities, demands and opportunities of today’s technologically sophisticated workforce.
“We are extremely grateful for this grant, which will enhance our efforts to connect with students and their key career influencers regarding the abundant, rewarding possibilities that await in STEM,” said Tanya Berfield, director of K-12 outreach at Penn College. “Studies show that the middle school years are formative in terms of students’ career development. With that in mind, it’s vital that STEM occupations are considered, as students lay the groundwork for the type of courses they will pursue in high school.”The Governor’s Task Force projects that over the next decade more than 70% of new jobs will require skills associated with science, technology, engineering and math. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts that STEM occupations will grow more than double the rate of all professions by 2029. According to the BLS, the median annual salary for STEM occupations was $95,420 in May 2021, compared to $40,120 for non-STEM jobs.
The grant – STEM Careers Re-Imagined: An Industry and Education Collaborative – will facilitate immersive externships at Penn College for middle school educators. Two weeklong events will expose educators to the manufacturing and construction fields, introduce them to new Pennsylvania K-12 Science Standards and support the creation of 3D learning activities to teach the standards.
College faculty and staff – with assistance from industry representatives – will lead the externships. Upon completion, participants will receive a mobile lab kit to encourage student engagement activities at their home school. Students’ eventual hands-on experiences will culminate in an annual showcase where they can demonstrate new STEM skills for industry and education partners.
Materials also will be shared with parents to increase their awareness of STEM career opportunities.
The initiative is available to 43 middle schools in the following counties: Bradford, Clinton, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Potter, Snyder, Sullivan, Tioga and Union. Up to two educators from each school will be invited to participate in the externships.
“We are hopeful that many educators will take advantage of this opportunity,” Berfield said. “The lasting benefits for their students could be priceless.”
Penn College is a national leader in applied technology education. Email the Admissions Office or call toll-free at 800-367-9222.