Beyond the Classroom…STEM
Collaboratives with Industry
Roger Smith, Instructor - CELS/Histotechnology
Capital Area Career Center, Ingham ISD
Toby West, Instructor - Careers in Biochemical Technology
Lenawee ISD - TECH Center
Career Education in Lab Science (CELS) &
Histotechnology
In the beginning there was Histology
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STEM before there was a STEM initiative
Unique
Highly successful
Small class size
Through Histology came CELS
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Broad overview of lab careers
Serve more students
CELS Curriculum Overview
Careers in Biochemical Tech
LISD TECH Center, Adrian MI
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Program was established during 2007-08 school
year
Response to challenge from local chemical
industry
Promoting a variety of science careers for
students of Lenawee County; Increase STEM
Literacy
Biochem Curriculum Overview
An Equation for Success
STEM
CTE
WBL
Student
Success in
STEM
Careers
What is STEM?
In its broadest sense, STEM is an initiative for
securing America’s Leadership in science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics
fields and identifying promising strategies for
strengthening the educational pipeline that
leads to STEM careers.1
The Need for STEM Professionals
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Economic Competitiveness
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The Baby Boom Retirement
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26% of workers with science and engineering
degrees are over the age of 50.2
Students Earning Fewer Degrees
Students Earning Fewer Degrees
Engineering Degrees Earned in 1985 & 2005
80,000
60,000
40,000
20,000
0
1985
BS Degrees Earned
77572
AS Degrees Earned
53700
2005
66133
28800
1985
2005
Why are Students not choosing
STEM Careers?
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Lack of Foundational Skills
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U.S. NAEP test scores showed no improvement in
math from 2004-2008 among 17 year olds despite
students taking higher level math classes.3
U.S. students are consistently scoring below
students from other industrialized countries in
science and math.4
Lack of STEM Understanding
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Surveyed students reported lacking knowledge of
STEM careers.5
Project Lead the Way™
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Nationally recognized curriculum to
promote skills and careers used in
science/engineering
Curriculum used throughout Lenawee
County
Biotechnical Engineering Curriculum
used in Biochem at LISD TECH Center
Stress skills AND academics in a unique
way. Perfect for CTE programs
How can CTE Provide a Solution?
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CTE Integrates Technology with High Level
Academics
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Students are earning math and science credits in
their programs along with college credits
CTE presents STEM content differently from
“normal” academic courses
Work Based Learning Opportunities
What is Work Based Learning?
Work-Based Learning (WBL) gives students the
opportunity to learn a variety of skills by
expanding the walls of classroom learning to
include the community. By narrowing the gap
between theory and practice, Work-Based
Learning creates meaning for students.6
How WBL is Utilized in the Careers in
Biochemical Technology Program
Biochem Connections with Industry
Important to establish strong industry
connections to promote science careers
Partnered with:
SouthCentral Michigan Works
• Lenawee Economic Development Corp.
• Advisory Committee Members
• Personal Connections
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Industry Experiences for Students
Co-op with Jackson Community College
Field Trips/Job Shadow Experiences:
Bixby Hospital
• Wacker Chemical
• Neogen Corp
• TransPharm
• Wheelock Pharmacy
• Adrian Water & Wastewater Treatment Plant
Laboratories
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Jackson Community College / LISD
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Laboratory Tech Co-op
Competitive 2nd yr
experience
Paid
Lab prep for chemistry,
microbiology, Gen biology
classes for JCC @ LISD
TECH campus
Great experience for
students!
Jackson Community College / LISD
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Great relationship
Students get lab
experience
Students receive
soft skill
development
Instructors benefit
Groeb Farms, Inc.
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One of nations largest
honey processors
(Onsted, MI)
Instructor training on
pesticide & antibiotic
testing in honey
Testing above
government
regulations
5 students trained
Groeb Farms, Inc.
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Students involved in
production testing of
honey
Students were paid for
their labor during and
after school hours
Invaluable work
experience, especially
with record keeping.
Great experience
with lab notebook.
Current Industry Connection:
Greener Planet Solutions (a BioDri Michigan
Company)
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Start-up technology
company
Development of many
products
PrO2 oxygen delivery
system for wastewater
treatment; has most
immediate market
potential
Instructor was hired as
part-time consultant
GPS / LISD Partnership
Development of
partnership between
LISD and GPS
Win – Win
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GPS gets a lab to help
with technical data
development
LISD gets work
experience for students
Lessons Learned
Success:
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Great work experience
for students
Students received great
soft skill development
(communication &
record keeping)
Insight into today’s
business world
Help local companies
grow!
Challenges
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Major Pitfall: R&D /
Technical vs.
Production testing!
Make sure you work
with administration to
have contract in place
that protects the school
and student
Liability, OSHA
responsibilities, &
safety training
How WBL is Utilized in the
CELS/Histotechnology Program
WBL in CELS/Histotechnology
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Need for New Affiliates
How we Obtained new WBL Sites
Information to Think about When
Contacting a New WBL Site
Before, During, and After the WBL
Experience
The Need for New WBL Sites
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The CELS curriculum is much more broad
than the Histotechnology program.
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Broad Overview of Lab Careers
Current Affiliates
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MSU Investigative
histopathology Laboratory
MSU Diagnostic Center for
Population and Animal
Health
Sparrow Hospital
Histopathology Laboratory
Capitol Area Pathologists
Histology Laboratory
Allegiance Health Hospital
Histology Laboratory
U of M Hospital Histology
Laboratory
St Joseph Ann Arbor
Histology Laboratory
Borgess Research & Hospital
Histology Laboratory
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Hurley Medical Center
U of M Research Institute
St. Mary’s Hospital Histology
Laboratory
Lansing Urology Histology
Laboratory
Genesis Diagnostic
Histopathology Laboratory
Its Not What You Know, Its Who You Know………
Medical Laboratory Institution
Clinical
Lab
Molecular
Lab
Micro
Immuno
Hematology
PA’s
Anatomic
Lab
PCR
Path’s
HT’s
Cytogen
Electro
Making Connections with New
Departments
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Contacts for lab personnel
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Advisory committee members as references
Advisory committee members to approach
new departments
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Personal testimonies
Before Contacting New Sites
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Draft a letter to include
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Information about your program
Training
Student Background
Students outcomes
Observers vs Workers
Time period
Information to Think about when
Contacting a New WBL Site
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What limitations?
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Transportation
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Vaccinations
Insurance
Age requirements
Can they drive themselves?
Environment
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Is it appropriate for the student you
are sending?
Before, During, and After the
WBL Experience
Before the WBL Experience
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Documentation Required from Students
• Medical Release Form
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Photocopy of immunizations
Negative TB Test
Tetanus Booster
Emergency Contact Information
Documentation of Health Insurance
Transportation
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Copy of driver’s license
Before the WBL Experience
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Student Preparation
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Expected behavior
Work attire
Directions to site
Ensure students have folders containing WBL
documents:
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Immunizations
Personal health insurance
Emergency contacts
Attendance forms
Assignments
Before the WBL Experience
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Communication is key!
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E-mail, Phone, Dropping In
Before the visit
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Confirm dates, times, meeting places
Confirm with both the site and the students
During the WBL Experience
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Instructors/WBL Specialists
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Be available!
Potential problems
WBL sites complete student evaluation
After the WBL Experience
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Debrief Students
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Students complete:
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Classroom discussion
Skills log
Reflective Questionnaire
Thank you letters to mentor
Communicate with the site
References
1. Alliance for Education, “S.T.E.M.,” www.sbcalliance.org/stem.htm
2. National Science Board, Science and Engineering Indicators 2008 (Arlington, VA:
National Science Foundation, 2008)
3. Zehr, Mary Ann, “Older Students Less Successful on Math NAEP,” Education
Week 28, no. 31 (April 28, 2009)
4. U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, The
Nation’s Report Card: Long-Term Trend 2008 (Washington, DC: U.S. Government
Printing Office, April 2009)
5. Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, “PISA 2006: Science
Competencies for Tomorrow’s World Executive Summary,”
6. http://schools.utah.gov/cte/wbl.html
Any Questions?
Contact info:
Roger Smith, Instructor - CELS/Histotechnology
rsmith@inghamisd.org
Toby West, Instructor - Careers in Biochemical
Technology
toby.west@lisd.us