Building Youth Engagement
with Science, Technology, Engineering & Math
Understanding Student Influences:
Examining STEM Education in Canada
Rural Congress 2016
Developing Creative, Critical Thinking
through STEM
What you can expect in this session:
• Introduction and orientation
• What the Spotlight on Science Learning
research is telling us
• Why this matters
• What Let’s Talk Science is doing to address
these issues
• How we are making an impact
• Hands-on/Minds-on exploration
Visit the Let’s Talk Science booth
The Challenge
How do we prepare youth for work and citizenship demands
in a complex, global environment in which science,
technology and innovation are transformative forces?
3
Our Mission
Let’s Talk Science helps children and youth fulfill their potential
and prepare for future careers and citizenship roles through
engagement in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
We connect STEM and education communities  provide programs
and resources  evaluate, benchmark and advocate
4
Understanding Impact and Outcomes
Let’s Talk Science is committed to understanding and improving the impact of
our work as well as making STEM learning a national priority.
21 research projects completed  several graduate theses
Available at: http://letstalkscience.ca/research-publications/spotlight-on-science-learning.html
5
STEM skills are key to students’ futures but
Canadian youth are missing out
• Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
forecasts that in the next ten years, some of the
biggest growth will occur in STEM-related fields, with
almost 75% of new jobs in high-skill occupations.
6
70% of Top Jobs need STEM
But did you know that:
For every 100 Grade 12
students, only 19 take physics,
30 take chemistry and 47 take
academic math.
Students’ disengagement with
STEM courses in high school
puts Canada’s economic wellbeing, quality of life and ability
to remain competitive at risk.
8
Positive Attitudes and Values
Spotlight on Science Learning, 2014
9
Not translating into intention
Spotlight on Science Learning, 2014
10
Students are closing doors to STEM careers
11
Canadian Youth are Capable
(2014)
PCAP-Chart from Page 19
12
Parents perceptions don’t match actions
13
Parents see the value of STEM education
Spotlight on Science Learning 2015: Exploring parental influence: shaping teen decisions
regarding science education
14
Why Youth Disengage
•
•
•
•
•
perceived lack of relevance
lack of role models; negative image of scientists
lack of awareness of careers; unclear pathways
teachers lack resources, support, training
Parents lack of understanding
15
Unforeseen Costs to Youth Disengagement
• We can see that 70% of the top jobs
require STEM
• There are demonstrated shortages in
some areas
• Many trades, skilled areas also require
STEM as a prerequisite
• Our students are capable
• There is a cost to the education system
and the economy when students
disengage
• Our job is to get kids through high
school with their sciences, maths and
keep doors open
16
Let’s Talk Science is Addressing the Barriers:
Key Outcomes
Let’s Talk Science builds:
•
•
•
•
youth skills, attitudes and intention to pursue STEM
educator proficiency
skills of volunteers
public understanding about the importance of STEM
engagement
17
How we do it
• Let’s Talk Science uses STEM as our learning and
engagement platform to provide impactful programs
and resources that develop science literacy, build
critical skills and foster the joy of learning.
• By combining active, hands-on/minds-on STEM
learning experiences with research and problemsolving opportunities, we’re helping Canadian youth
build an understanding of what it means to know
and do science.
• Curriculum aligned programming is at the heart of
how we support educators and engage students.
18
21st Century Competencies
19
Let’s Talk Science’s programs
World-class FREE programs for youth and
educators Early years to Grade 12
20
Let’s Talk Science Outreach
Connects youth and educators
with Let’s Talk Science
volunteers in classrooms, field
trips and campuses.
Volunteers:
• Shatter stereotypes and are
positive role models
• Lead FREE engaging programs
with preschool to Grade 12
classes and community groups
• Reach the general public in
festivals and community events
21
Let’s Talk Science Challenge
Team-based enrichment competition for Grades 6-8.
Dual emphasis – knowledge, as well as technological
and problem solving skills through an engineering
design challenge.
22
CurioCity
A web-based program that enables Grades 8-12
students to explore STEM in meaningful contexts
and supports educators.
ExploreCurioCity.org
23
Our programs aim to serve students and
educators across Canada
24
Opportunity to explore programs
Your hands-on / minds-on time
Five iPads
Stations
25
What Educators and parents say about our programs
What educators say…..
“ I love the Let’s Talk Science
Challenge. I can't say enough about it.
The kids that sign up one year often
come back and want to be involved
the following year. This year some of
the kids who participated last year,
but were too old to participate, came
back and volunteered to mentor the
younger kids. What a great day!
The kids are so engaged and I love to
see them enjoying learning science.
Keep up the great work.
Darlene Moulton, teacher
What parents say …..
“I just wanted to let you know how much
the field trip to Simon Fraser University
yesterday excited our son Noah about
higher education and learning. He didn’t
stop talking through dinner and beyond.
That is how we know he has had a
phenomenal learning experience.
Noah has had a difficult transition to
Middle school with the school year
starting late, learning to be accountable
for his work, understanding this new
landscape and building relationships. I
am so happy that he was allowed and
recommended to be part of your group by
Ms. Egelstad.
26
Thank you
Sara Steers
ssteers@letstalkscience.ca
@LetsTalkScience
facebook.com/LetsTalkScience
letstalkscience.ca • parlonssciences.ca
LetsTalkScience.ca/Outreach • LetsTalkScience.ca/Challenge
exploreCurioCity.org • exploreIdeaPark.org • tomatosphere.org
27