Sparking Interest in High-Demand High-Growth Jobs: ASCD to Provide Additional Teaching Resources

Teachers across the U.S.A. will soon have new resources to drive student interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). ASCD, a nonprofit dedicated to excellence in learning, teaching, and leading, has been awarded a $485,000 grant from the Toyota USA Foundation to support STEM integration in classrooms. ASCD will collaborate with the 114th Partnership, a national nonprofit that helps young people navigate education and career pathways, to create videos connecting coursework to STEM careers.

This partnership will provide instructional resources that "spark" student interest by helping students apply academic skills toward STEM-related workplace challenges through Spark 101 STEM Skills Videos.

"There is no better way for educators to increase interest in STEM education than with engaging content relevant to the careers of tomorrow," said Deb Delisle, ASCD CEO and Executive Director. "The 114th Partnership's STEM video program allows educators to integrate real-world professional challenges into instruction, giving students unique insight into career opportunities in fields such as advanced manufacturing."

A national ASCD survey identified a need for more professional learning in lesson plan development to support students' motivation to study STEM. Known for high-quality professional learning resources, ASCD will codesign content that integrates Spark 101 STEM Skills Videos with problem-solving coursework. Through the collaboration, ASCDwill

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• Work with practicing STEM educators to develop professional learning modules for middle and high school teachers that complement Spark 101 STEM Skills Videos.
• Produce new Spark 101 STEM Skills Videos that feature automotive advanced manufacturing jobs. 
• Pilot STEM professional learning with 150 middle and high school teachers from traditionally underrepresented groups.
• Continue to deliver post-grant content with embedded Spark 101 STEM Skills Videos as an affordable, scalable solution to broaden participation in STEM coursework and STEM careers.

"These videos provide another resource to help teachers connect coursework to the workplace, helping to prepare the next generation of STEM professionals for high-demand jobs," said Mike Goss, president of Toyota USA Foundation. "This partnership is based on evidence that challenge- and project-based curricula lead to better student outcomes."

Materials will be available in the spring of 2018 on ASCD's website. To learn more about ASCD's other programs, products, services, and memberships, visit www.ascd.org.

About the Toyota USA Foundation

The Toyota USA Foundation is a $100 million charitable endowment committed to enhancing the quality of education by supporting innovative programs and building partnerships with organizations dedicated to improving STEM teaching and learning. For additional information about the Toyota USA Foundation, please visit www.toyotagrants.com/foundation.

About the 114th Partnership

Named for the meridian that bridges the Great Continental Divide, the 114th Partnership is a national nonprofit that helps young people navigate education and career pathways by working with employers and educators to design, produce, and freely distribute "on-the-job" challenges that feature the application of skills in high-opportunity careers. 

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About ASCD

ASCD is dedicated to excellence in learning, teaching, and leading so that every child is healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged. Comprising 115,000 members—superintendents, principals, teachers, and advocates from more than 128 countries—the ASCD community also includes 51 affiliate organizations. ASCD's innovative solutions promote the success of each child. To learn more about how ASCD supports educators as they learn, teach, and lead, visit www.ascd.org.

Source – Leslie Malone, ASCD

Image courtesy – Norwin School District

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