STEMENTORSHIP HIGH SCHOOL EXHIBITS
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
OVERVIEW
PROJECT BACKGROUND AND DESCRIPTION
For six years, WSB has been hosting the STEM Challenge. The STEM Challenge is a regional high school business
plan competition that promotes innovation and entrepreneurship in high students by emphasizing the importance of
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics in the global competitive marketplace. In addition to the business
plan competition, STEM Challenge features additional competitions in VEX Robotics, Gaming/IT, and Coding. A total
of 330 students competed in 2015.
The STEM Challenge made way for the STEM Fiesta- a one-day event designed to increase academic interest and
career awareness in STEM fields. The first STEM Fiesta hosted an overwhelming 6,000 students. In 2015, students
were capped at 2,000. The next STEM Fiesta is scheduled for the week of April 4-8, 2016 and will target 1,000
students for an interactive learning experience.
This year, Workforce Solutions Borderplex is issuing a new opportunity for high school participation through
STEMentorship- a real-world learning exercise modeling the competitive funding procurement process.
PROJECT SCOPE
High School teams are being solicited to design an interactive exhibit using STEAM to influence to a
targeted group of 1,000 8th graders toward the endorsement of a STEM Career Pathway
STEAM = Science & Technology, interpreted through Engineering & the Arts, based in Mathematical
elements.
The “A” stands for “The Arts” as a creative discipline and NOT just aesthetics, such as; Visual &
Performing Arts, Industrial Design, Architecture, Multimedia, Animation & Visual Effects, Fashion, or even
Culinary Arts.
Art is often hyped as a method of adding creativity to STEM—but keep in mind that engineers are rarely
lacking imagination. The purpose of STEAM is not so much to teach art but to apply art in real situations.
Applied knowledge leads to deeper learning.
Shifting to a STEAM perspective means the high school exhibits should challenge middle schoolers to
use their scientific “left-brained” thinking along with “right-brained” intuition to become a well-rounded
intellectual.
TEAM REQUIREMENTS
 High School Exhibit Teams must consist of Juniors & Seniors only
 Teams should be no less than three (3) students and no greater than six (6) students.
 Teams must be co-ed (male and female)
 Teams must be able to secure their own means of transportation
 Must have permission from high school to set up on Wednesday, April 6, 2016 and attend the STEM + Art
FIESTA from Thursday, April 7, 2016 from 7:30 to 4:00pm
 Teams must ensure that the exhibit has coverage during the hours of the STEM + Art FIESTA
 Team members are not allowed to leave independently, without the permission of their teacher & parent, during
the hours of the STEM + Art FIESTA
 Teams must make sure that the exhibit has coverage at all times while middle school students are present
1
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
COMPONENTS
Responses should be clear and concise. Response packages should not exceed 10 pages. Any responses
exceeding 10 pages will be disqualified.
1. Concept Paper
Describe the STEAM Exhibit proposal, highlighting the use of STEAM [Science & Technology,
interpreted through Engineering & the Arts, based in Mathematical elements] to promote STEM Career
Awareness for middle school students. Include approach to mentorship and engaging participants.
2. Concept Drawing
The concept drawing must be scaled to fit a 12’ x 4’ exhibit space and indicate any electrical, internet, or
other utility requirements.
3. Team Narrative
Team Narratives should consist of
a) Individual team bios, including prospective colleges and future career goals
b) History of participation in the STEM Challenge and/or STEM Related Initiatives as a team
and/or by individual team members
c) Team support network- teachers, mentors, family, and/or friends that can mentor/assist (one
answer for entire team)
4. Lesson Plan
The lesson plan must contain the following 3 components:
1. Brief introduction of the STEM concept
2. Explanation of how “the Arts” enhances/explains the concept
3. Description of the learning environment and how learning will take place
Additional information can be added, keeping in mind the 10 page limit
APPLICATIONS ARE DUE NO LATER THAN FRIDAY JANUARY 8, 2016 by 5:00 pm
Applications should be submitted by clicking on the High School Competitors Sign Up link on
the http://www.borderplexjobs.com/programs-and-services/stem page.
Questions on this Request for Proposals may be addressed to Shamori Whitt via email at
Shamori.Whitt@borderplexjobs.com.
PANEL INTERVIEWS WILL BE SCHEDULED MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2016 THROUGH
THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2016.
WINNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2016
2
SELECTION PROCESS
WSB will create a STEMentorship Proposal Review Team. The proposal review team will be assigned to evaluate all
submissions to WSB. Submissions will be scored using the evaluation criteria as shown in Exhibit A, on a scale of 1
to 10 with 1 being the lowest and 10 being the highest. There are 100 points available. Panel Interviews will be
decided by vote of the panelists. A total of twelve (12) STEMentorship Exhibits will be selected for the STEM + Arts
Fiesta.
IMPORTANT DATES
Applications Due
Friday, January 8, 2016
Panel Interviews
January 11, 2016 through January 14, 2016
Winners Announcement
Friday, January 15, 2016
WRITTEN LETTER OF APPEAL
If after the selection is made, an applicant may submit an appeal via email to WSB within ten (10) business days of
the date of the final selection. Appeals may be emailed to Shamori.Whitt@borderplexjobs.com and all appeals will be
reviewed by Board Staff and the CEO. Notice of action will be sent within ten (10) business days at the latest.
POST SELECTION
Upon selection, each student from each selected team will enter into agreement with Workforce Solutions Borderplex
to produce an exhibit for the STEM + Arts FIESTA in compliance with all corresponding District policies and
procedures governing student participation, transportation, supervision, and, acceptable computer use, as well as, all
required parental/guardian consent forms- as deemed necessary by District. Failure to obtain proper permissions
and approvals within the allotted period of time will render individual students ineligible for participation.
SOCIAL MEDIA & PRIZES
From February to April, leading up to STEM + Arts FIESTA 2016, teams are encouraged to create a strong social
media presence to promote the STEM + Arts Fiesta. Details to be provided upon selection. The STEMentorship
Team with the most votes will be featured on the cover of the STEM + Arts Fiesta 2016 Program and will be featured
on KVIA.
Votes will be reset the day of STEM + Arts FIESTA 2016 when middle school attendees get to vote on their favorite
exhibit online. The winner of the middle school popular vote will be highlighted in the event wrap-up material and
included in the Awards Ceremony on Friday April 8, 2016.
Fundraising for the STEM Challenge and Fiesta is underway. Updates will be sent as more prizes are added.
3
AUTHORIZATIONS
HIGH SCHOOL:
TEACHER COACH
TEL:
EMAIL:
SIGNATURE:
4
5
TEAM MEMBER #1:
TEAM MEMBER #2:
TEAM MEMBER #3:
TEL:
TEL:
TEL:
EMAIL:
EMAIL:
EMAIL:
SIGNATURE:
SIGNATURE:
SIGNATURE:
PARENT/GUARDIAN (PRINT)
PARENT/GUARDIAN (PRINT)
PARENT/GUARDIAN (PRINT)
TEL:
TEL:
TEL:
SIGNATURE:
SIGNATURE:
SIGNATURE:
Exhibit A- SAMPLE SCORING SHEET
Criteria
1. COMPLIANCE: How well did
team follow instructions?
2. CURRICULUM: How well
does concept enhance
classroom learning?
3. CREATIVITY: How creative is
concept?
4. CRITICAL THINKING: Does
project encourage critical
thinking?
5. COMPREHENSION: Does
concept help student
comprehend abstract concept?
6. COHESION: How well are the
arts immersed into the project?
7. CONSTRUCTION: How
technically well is the piece put
together?
8. CONNECTION: Does this
piece connect with middle
school students?
9. COLLABORATION: Did
team use other resources
beyond high school?
10. COMMUNICATION: How
well did the team communicate
their concept- both written and
verbally?
6
Score 1-10
Comment