Presentation Title: Partnerships and STEM: Authentic Design Problems

Abstract: The breakout session will highlight my experience building STEM community relationships. I will start by using my model of community involvement. The model emphasizes levels of community involvement and ways to contact potentially interested organizations to develop partnerships. It also includes ways to create objectives that fit the classroom as well as the organization. In addition, my model highlights methods of maintaining the partnership over several years. I’ll share the lessons and activities used with partnerships including the Illinois American Water, Chicago Architecture Foundation, and the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning. If time permits, I’ll give the participants an opportunity to use my expertise as they begin to search for potential organizations in their communities.

Biography: I am a 30 year science and STEM educator. I have conducted adult workshops in STEM education with national organizations including NSTA and Project Lead the Way. I have worked as a mentor for New Teacher Center and my recorded STEM lessons are used in Betterlesson.com for teacher training. I am currently working as a STEM consultant, conducting online video conferences with teachers interested in developing their STEM skills. As a teacher, my goal was to always have a community partnership to offer authenticity to my STEM lessons. I achieved the goal, and I am working to share my model of community partnership because the partnerships made a world of difference in the learning of my students.