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2 Project Context and Background
Pages 13-22

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From page 13...
... 3 Recent reports have described the heterogeneity of the STEM workforce, which typically includes professional scientists and engineers working in research and development (R&D) , workers who apply STEM knowledge and skills, and workers in technologically sophisticated occupations who need a facility with STEM concepts to excel in their occupations, but not necessarily a bachelor's degree.
From page 14...
... What is a STEM Job? How Different Interpretations of the STEM Acronym Result in Disparate Labor Market Projections.
From page 15...
... . Barriers and Opportunities for 2-Year and 4-Year STEM Degrees: Systemic Change to Support Diverse Student Pathways.
From page 16...
... Research suggests that the first 2 years of college represent a critical period during which students, especially women and underrepresented minorities, are most likely to change majors and leave STEM fields. 18,19 The most effective interventions for increasing the persistence of students in completing STEM degrees are targeted to the first 2 years of college and involve redesigning introductory STEM courses to provide more active learning and real-world problem solving, more and earlier exposure to authentic research experiences, earlier and better access to role models and mentors, and a suite of support services (e.g., campus learning communities, bridge programs)
From page 17...
... companies with a combined $7.2 trillion in annual revenues and almost 16 million employees, has called for more universities and employers to partner so they may better understand regional labor market needs and create or redesign curriculum and programs organized around those workforce needs. A recent report from the Business Roundtable notes the critical importance of employability skills and the role that applied learning experiences such as internships and apprenticeships play in strengthening pathways to STEM jobs.
From page 18...
... A recent report that details the STEM Learning Ecosystem approach for K-12 education notes that these ecosystems "encompass schools, community settings, science centers and museums, and informal experiences at home and in a variety of environments that together constitute a rich array of learning opportunities for young people." 35 STEM Learning Ecosystems pursue several strategies that have also been shown to improve STEM retention and increase the participation and persistence of underrepresented groups at the postsecondary level. 36 These include leveraging strong leadership, employing educational interventions known to be effective at strengthening STEM learning and retention, providing applied learning opportunities, and implementing a suite of support and wrap-around services for students and their families.
From page 19...
... Specifically, the five major strategies of the model include engaging and deploying corporate and academic leadership, focusing on corporate philanthropy, identifying and exploiting core competencies and expertise, facilitating employee engagement, and providing real-world research and learning opportunities. 40, 41 APPLIED LEARNING EXPERIENCES: INTERNSHIPS, COOPERATIVE EDUCATION PROGRAMS, AND EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS The focus of our study was not on whether colleges and universities were preparing their students and graduates to move into particular jobs, but rather whether they were giving students both the breadth and depth of experiences in STEM courses and laboratories -- and in the totality of their undergraduate experiences -- to ensure that they would move into their careers ready to be successful, adaptable, and agile workers and learners.
From page 20...
... The challenges are evidenced by many recent reports on this topic, and need explicit and focused attention as a priority challenge. 45 In addition to technical skills, internships and other applied learning experiences may also help students develop those workplace competencies that employers often identify as lacking among new hires -- employability skills (these skills are also called 21st century skills, among other terms)
From page 21...
... A number of broader changes are taking place within higher education that will likely have some effect on regional workforce development ecosystems. As the higher education community responds to calls for increased accountability, it is critical that universities undertake continuous quality improvement efforts to strengthen all aspects of the academic experience -- and draw on the quality improvement efforts of local employers to support such efforts.


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