Consultation and Training:
The STEM Education Alliance provides consultation services to assist in the development of comprehensive STEM programs. These programs include: developing STEM goals and related infrastructure, STEM teacher or scientist/engineer training, and developing STEM summer camps. The STEM Education Alliance has provided consultation services to seven states to improve local STEM initiatives. Services include assistance in developing plans to evaluate STEM activities, consultation on how to leverage local resources, and establishing the infrastructure to ensure sustainable efforts. The STEM Education Alliance has provided services to such diverse locations as: Philadelphia, PA; Indian Head, MD; Panama City, FL; Rome, NY; San Diego, CA; Charleston, SC; and Honolulu, HI. These locations have encompassed a variety of public and private organizations.
Evaluation:
The STEM Education Alliance has completed program and outcome evaluations of other major STEM programs in addition to the Virginia Demonstration Project (VDP). In 2011, the STEM Education Alliance was contracted by SPAWAR Atlantic to evaluate STEM outreach efforts in the Charleston area. Currently the STEM Education Alliance is evaluating the SeaPerch outreach effort funded by Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division.
Each of these evaluations uses a multi-dimensional analysis of change in student beliefs, knowledge, attitude, and awareness using an instrument developed and validated by the STEM Education Alliance: The STEM Student Awareness and Attitude Scale (STEM SASS). Participants in each evaluation complete pre and post surveys, which are then triangulated through program observations, focus groups, and/or interviews. All results are subject to a rigorous and in-depth analysis. This analysis provides formative and summative information for program staff.
If you are interested in more information about how STEM Education Alliance can assist with evaluating your STEM program, please contact Dr. Gail Hardinge or Dr. Jake Joseph.
Conferences and Presentations:
The STEM Education Alliance participates in several conferences throughout the year. Some of the most recent conferences where the STEM Education Alliance has presented include: MODSIM, American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE), Virginia School Counselor Association (VSCA), National Defense Education Program (NDEP) Naval K-12 Workshop, National Science Teacher's Association (NSTA), Innovation in STEM for Philadelphia Workforce Development, VA Governor's STEM Conference, National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT), and Gifted Center National Curriculum Networking Conference.
Grants and Contracts:
National Defense Education Program (NDEP) Virginia Demonstration Project (VDP), The STEM Education Alliance provides consultation and professional development to school divisions and military labs through the VDP. The VDP encourages students to pursue STEM careers by teaming Scientists & Engineers from military warfare laboratories with local school teachers. The program uses robots as a tool to engage students in problem-based learning about STEM and STEM career opportunities. Since 2004, over 40,000 students and 200 teachers have participated in the program. Five school divisions in Virginia are currently participating: Accomack, King George, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, and Stafford. Evaluation data over the last six years of the program indicates that the program has been successful in increasing the interest of middle school students in STEM careers.
Department of Defense (DoD) SeaPerch Evaluation; In 2012, STEM Education Alliance began evaluationing the national Seaperch program in Virginia and Maryland. SeaPerch is a hands-on STEM activity that allows students to create an underwater robot while learning to use tools and problem solving skills. SeaPerch can be implemented in an in-school or out-of-school setting. The curriculum for SeaPerch meets national and state learning standards. The SeaPerch program assists teachers with integrating STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) activities into their classrooms while providing opportunities for STEM career discussions.
Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Virginia Beach Public Schools, Virginia Beach City Public Schools was awarded two Military-Connected Academic Support Program grants, MCASP and Operation PRIDE, through DoDEA. These grants were awarded to help VBCPS implement programs that support military-connected students and enhance their opportunities for STEM-related activities. The STEM Education Alliance has been contracted with to provide their expertise to complete tasks associated with these awards. This partnership has grown to include additional STEM related activities.
MCASP and Operation PRIDE, focus on implementing sustainable programs in 13 schools throughout the school division with a high population of military-connected students. The STEM Education Alliance provides professional development and interactive workshops for faculty at the 13 schools supported by these grants.
STEM-a-THON, is a fun-filled day developed and run by the STEM Education Alliance and coordinated by Operation PRIDE. The STEM-a-Thon hosts 25 military-connected students.
STEM Mentoring Program, where the role of the STEM Education Alliance is to provide mentors who have 3D printing experience to each of the participating Operation PRIDE schools: Brandon Middle School, Larkspur Middle School, White Oaks Elementary School, and Green Run High School.
STEM Summer Academies, through the NDEP Virginia Demonstration Project (VDP), participating school divisions have the opportunity to send students to a summer camp hosted at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division. The first summer academy at Dahlgren took place in 2005. Through summer academy activities, students engage in challenges related to engineering, robotics, ballistics, rocketry, electronics, biology and chemistry, and environmental science. The STEM Education Alliance has worked with other school divisions around the country to create summer camps similar to the VDP Summer Academy.
