Presentation Title: Carnegie STEM Excellence Pathway – Journey to STEM Success

Abstract: Designed to help the widest possible range of school districts and schools adopt best practices in STEM education, the Pathway includes:a process and tools for assessing current STEM programming and creating a practical plan for improvement; a guide to develop specific steps that a school or district can take to improve STEM education; supports for teacher professional development and district-to-district mentoring; and recognition for schools that are embracing and moving toward effective STEM education. One facet of the Carnegie STEM Excellence Pathway is a Self-Evaluation Rubric, through which participating schools and school districts first evaluate themselves in six STEM learning components: Teacher Qualifications and Development, Curriculum, Instructional Practices, Assessment and Demonstration of Skills, Family Engagement, and Real-World Connections. Within each component, there are Priority Areas with specific criteria and descriptions for levels of performance. After rating themselves on each of these, the school or district selects up to three Priority Areas and then formulates a realistic Action Plan in those areas. Through periodic reassessment and repetition of this process, schools and districts can progress to higher levels of STEM education excellence. This cycle is beneficial to all regardless of their current STEM offerings. The Pathway fosters thinking about long-term, strategic goals with a focus on continuous growth. It helps identify the tenets of quality STEM education and then implement them. The Pathway is non-punitive. Instead, it’s envisioned as a long-term, goal-oriented, encouraging approach. Learn first-hand through testimonials about how the Pathway is making an impact on schools across the country.

Biography: Jason Brown, Senior Director of Science and Education at Carnegie Science Center, has an undergraduate degree in physics from Hobart College in New York, a Pennsylvania teaching certificate in physics, general science, and earth sciences, an MBA, a Master’s Certificate in Educational Technologies and New Literacies, and is a certified Project Management Professional®. During his eleven years in the classroom, he taught high school science (physics, geology, astronomy, environmental science, Project Lead The Way) and middle school technology, as well as serving as an Assistant Professor in the Construction Management and Architecture programs at the State University of New York. He also spent six years as a builder and residential construction project manager with a focus on building science, energy efficiency and sustainable building practices. Furthermore, he has developed and led professional learning opportunities in the areas of technology integration, behavior management, STEM Education best-practices, and the utilization of online and digital resources in instruction. He currently oversees all of Carnegie Science Center’s educational initiatives, including student, teacher, district, and early learner programs, as well as the Fab Lab Carnegie Science Center makerspace. He also participates in Science Center content creation and the development of overall educational strategy.