Introduction

 

At a conference held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in November 2004, a new paradigm was articulated for STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) education.  The Conference worked to improve the effectiveness and visibility of current STEM related programs and identify gaps that need to be addressed.  2006 saw the third annual conference for sySTEM Now! (Strengthening our Youth in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math – Now!)   The “Now” in the project title underlines the urgency of a situation that is not improving rapidly enough to meet the future needs for a more technology literate population either locally, within the state and throughout the country. 

 

According to a recent report released by the Committee for Economic Development, “The percentage of college students seeking degrees in science and engineering continues to fall…and [STEM fields] have seen an absolute decline in the number of degrees conferred since 1985.  The expansion of the economy and the retirement of the baby boomers will leave a gap in the professional/technical labor market.” 

 

SySTEM Now! was convened to:

· Raise the awareness of STEM-related issues from a variety of perspectives.

· Exchange best practices in, and lessons learned from, existing STEM-related programs.

· Celebrate success stories and learn from less successful ventures.

· Provide networking opportunities for like-minded individuals.

· Establish a framework for a “one call” organization that would serve to connect STEM related resources with the needs of the various stakeholders…Now! and into the future.

 

While conference attendees represented many different venues (Academia, Government, Professional Organizations, Business, and Community Based Organizations), they supported:

 

· Developing and implementing a plan to integrate with and collaborate on the efforts of academia, industry, government and community groups promoting STEM education.

· Forming a STEM Advisory council to pursue these integrated/collaborative efforts.

· Establishing an “umbrella” organization to assist in promoting all the many STEM opportunities currently available and identifying gaps in the system which need to be addressed.

· Developing and implementing an aggressive “Do Something!” campaign to motivate our youth about the potential rewards of STEM proficiency.

 

sySTEM NOW! is a call for action…NOW.

 

 

sySTEM Now! is not a new agency, but a new concept of a network or consortium that brings STEM-related services and their providers into a collaborative, cooperative relationship that will encourage efficiency and synergy.  It increases accessibility of all interested parties to the growing field of STEM related activities resulting in an increase the effectiveness of those efforts and to appropriately involve all stakeholders.

 

Impacts:

· Raise awareness of the critical need to improve the math and science preparedness of our children.

· Increase involvement by the professional audience in programs to address that need.

· Create efficiencies and synergies in the organization and operation of all STEM-related outreach programs and serve as a catalyst for the creation of new programs to address heretofore unmet challenges.

Strategic Impact

sySTEM Now! provides a vehicle to build the long-overdue link between STEM-related needs and STEM related resources which can meet those needs.  By clearly identifying and raising the profile of these needs, and by efficiently and relentlessly tapping the vast resources of talent, commitment, and funding available in our community sySTEM Now! can make a difference. 

Deliverables

·       Formation of a STEM Advisory Council (to identify, develop and implement integrated/collaborative efforts between academia, industry and government).

·       Formation of a clearinghouse (a “one call” organization to assist in promoting and making available STEM education to the general public as well as STEM professionals).

·       Development and implementation of an aggressive “Do Something!” campaign to motivate our youth about STEM .

·       Development of a volunteer database qualified people willing to support STEM informal science education efforts.

·       Conducting an annual “sySTEM Now!” conference

·       Development of a website to highlight STEM-related services, information and opportunities.

Process

· Assemble stakeholders to identify and evaluate needs from a variety of perspectives

· Summarize baseline condition (compile statistics re: number of schools, teachers, students, test scores, competencies, programs, professional audience participation, volunteer database, etc.)

· Define desired outcomes (grade-specific, graduated outreach programs for every Milwaukee area child designed to supplement math and science curricula, test scores, other metrics, etc.)

· Perform gap analysis (difference between the present reality and future expectation)

· Prioritize actions to reach objectives.