Impact Summary
Impact: In less than 7 years, STEM West has impacted over 27,00 students and over 1500 educators through teacher training, student events, clubs, etc. Students have participated in STEM units, clubs, and events focused on STEM Careers and/or skill. STEM West has directly received and implemented over $1 million in grants and assisted in bringing in another $1 million in indirect grant funding.
- Filling the Gap: STEM West is partnered with 40+ local STEM businesses, over 100 educators have been trained in project based learning (PBL) and many of them have created and implemented the PBL units in their classrooms, engaging 3000+ students in real-world business problems/issues.
- Robox Sumo: This is a Train-the-Trainer one-day workshop that is funded by a Biogen grant. This workshop has trained over 54 adults and let to over 400 students being engaged in engineering robots through after-school clubs, science center events, and scout programs. This one-day opportunity continues to impact more students across the region.
- GEMS (Girls Engaged in Math and Science) Clubs: 70 coaches have been trained and over 20 clubs continue to flourish after three years. Coaches received 4 days of training and $200 to purchase club supplies.
- Fairs & Festivals: STEM West continues to be represented at the Historic Morganton Festival and the Taylorsville Apple Festival annually to share STEM Career information with students and parents. In partnership with the NC Bionetwork of Community Colleges, many students and adults participate in hands-on, engaging activities such as making their own DNA necklaces. Over 500 community members are engaged in discussions of STEM Careers each year.
- EdCamp STEM West: The first STEM related EdCamp was attended by 130+ people interested in STEM Education. Over $1500 in door prizes and food was donated by local businesses. EdCamp STEM West has become a regional event hosted every other spring.
- Code.org: STEM West organized and hosted Code.org training for over 50 teachers across western NC. Regional elementary teachers also worked together to develop a Matrix, integrating the Code.org curriculum into the K-5 standards across all subject areas. This document is being shared across the state and NCDPI.
- Computer Science Training: STEM West collaborated with The Friday Institute to host follow-up trainings for the middle school NC Computer Science Pilot at the NC Center of Engineering Technologies. Over the last 2 years, STEM West in partnership with Dottie Rose Foundation, has assisted 4 districts in receiving App/Coding grants from NCDPI for $52,000-$75,000 each.
- LEGO Community Grant: STEM West has received a LEGO Community grant (approximately $80,000 value each year for 3 years), which provides a variety of FIRST Lego curriculum, kits, and training across 6 counties. Teachers implement the curriculum and provide feedback to developers.
- Asset Map: To understand the STEM educational opportunities in the region, STEM West has developed an Asset Map . This map is continuously updated to evaluate gaps in access to quality STEM programming, as well as links to strong programs that may be replicated.
- STEM Trek! This an annual NC Science Festival Event that occurs every April to connect families with local STEM businesses through engaging hands-on activities. This event is in partnership with the Catawba Science Center and the Greater Hickory International Council.
- Sustainability Steps: A STEM West Business Plan and Communication Plan has been written and approved by the STEM West Advisory Board. Presently, 6 school districts are formal partners with STEM West and business partnerships are still being developed.
- District Science Strategic Plans Developed: Supported by the NC Science, Mathematics, & Technology (SMT) Center, 3 of the 7 school districts have received sponsorship to attend LASER training to develop these plans. Other districts are planning to attend in the future. The Goal is for every STEM West partnering district to be able to collaborate in moving forward with science inquiry instruction.