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Fall 2022

STEM Week Challenge

We are excited to announce the 2022 STEM Week Challenge. Together with our partners, PBLWorks, this year’s challenge will ask students to grapple with the question, “How can we prepare and inspire people in Massachusetts to pursue STEM careers that have the greatest potential for impact?”

The Challenge

In this STEM Week Challenge, students will research an in-demand STEM career that interests them AND reach out to professionals in those fields.  Our goal is to create the space for students to understand how the demand for certain careers is changing and what types of opportunities there will be in the future.

What does the challenge include?

  • 10-hours of instructional content and robust student and teacher facing materials
  • High-quality teacher professional learning (PL) to support implementation
  • Resources for networking with industry professionals to help students learn more about careers and practice network-building
  • In-person showcase event at the end of STEM Week to provide authentic audience for students’ work

Watch this recording of the STEM Week Challenge info session to learn more.

How to participate in the STEM Week Challenge

  • Sign up for teacher professional learning (PL). Professional learning is offered in-person (8/2 at Roxbury Community College) or online.
  • Carve out 10 hours of instructional time during September and October
  • Participate in an end-of-week showcase to connect with industry professionals. (Details coming soon)

 

Professional Learning

Teachers - Sign up for PL by June 7th!

Sign up for professional learning by the priority deadline of June 21st! Priority registration provides you with access to both in-person and virtual professional learning offered in August. (Note: We will open up additional virtual-only training options in September.)

 

Register for August PL! (Link opens in a new tab)

Student Spotlight: Plymouth North High School

Check out how one school connected students directly with industry professionals, serving as part of the inspiration for the STEM Week Challenge.

Why this challenge?

  • It's meaningful

    Students can’t pursue what they can’t see — the STEM Week Challenge connects what students are learning in class to in-demand, impactful careers they they may never have even heard of before. 

  • It addresses an urgent equity issue

    With more than 50% of jobs come from personal connections, the STEM Week Challenge aims to help students develop the relationship building skills and networks needed to find future success. Watch researcher Julia Freeland Fisher explain the importance of supporting students to develop their personal networks here. 

  • It's engaging

    We’ve partnered with PBLWorks, experts on designing and facilitating high-quality project based learning (PBL) for all classrooms.  The STEM Week Challenge experience is an easy way to provide students with a PBL experience that engages them in a real-world and personally meaningful project.

  • It's flexible

    We know how precious instructional time is. We are working with PBLWorks to make sure that the 10 hours of content can support instruction across multiple content areas by highlighting real-world career connections. Are you a Project Lead The Way or OpenSciEd teacher? Guidance provided may reduce the instructional hours needed.

  • It's supported

    Educators have more on their plates than ever. The STEM Week Challenge will provide you with high-quality, engaging content to implement with your students. PBLWorks will provide training, student facing materials, and a teacher guide. Plus, you’ll have the support of Mass STEM Hub to help you along the way!

  • It's free!

    There is no cost to participate. By signing up, you will receive free teacher training, free digital student materials and teacher resources, and more.

Thank you to our partners:

Questions?

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