STEM EDUCATION:
THE LEADERSHIP CHALLENGE
Critical Issues in California’s K-12 STEM Education
Susan Hackwood
California Council on Science and Technology
November 21, 2009
Anaheim Marriott
Despite Its Woes, California's
Dream Still Lives
By Michael Grunwald
Friday, Oct. 23, 2009
"This is the most dynamic place
for change on earth," genomic
pioneer J. Craig Venter said on a
recent tour of his San Diego labs,
where researchers are studying
ways to convert algae into oil,
coal into natural gas and human
wastewater into electricity.
"That's why we're here."
The Shrinking Pie
1990-1998
1999-2007
Individuals in S&E Occupations as Share of Workforce
California S&E Occupations 2007 - 753,570 - 4.14% of total
Projected Future S&T Workforce
• 2006 - 2016 health care practitioners and technicians will add the most
new jobs (1.4 million; 19.8% growth rate)
• Computer and mathematical occupations will grow the most quickly (0.8
million jobs; 24.8% growth rate)
• Other related occupational groups such as architecture & engineering (0.3
million jobs, 10.4% growth rate) life, physical, and social sciences (0.2
million jobs, 14.4% growth rate)
• Of the 30 fastest growing occupations, with a growth rate of 27%
compared to the 10% average for all occupations, many are science and
technology-related.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Projected increase in employment, for S&E and other
occupations: 2004-14
SOURCE: Bureau of Labor Statistics – Science and Engineering
Indicators 2008
Workforce Challenge
Need workforce that is highly technical
with:
• bio, info, nano -- technology skills
• multilanguage, multicultural skills
• business skills
• can operate in a world economy
• capacity for innovation
What is Innovation?
• Creation and application of new ideas that
generate economic and social value
• 1990s innovation – was technology and its
application
• 2008 now about new strategies, products and
processes, new business models and new markets
Shifting Sources of Success
From:
Inherited Assets
• Geography
• Climate
• Natural Resources
• Population
To:
Created Assets
• Top universities
• Research centers
• Talented people
• Entrepreneurial
culture
• Networks
• Vibrant downtowns
Essential to:
• Boost the development of skilled human
talent that powers innovation
• Improve the economic environment and
institutions that support innovation
• Respond to the changing global marketplace
CA’s Innovation Infrastructure
What has changed since 1999?
The ways people communicate and gather information are different.
–
–
–
The Internet was far less capable. Google did not yet exist.
Social networking did not exist.
A world of information is now available within fractions of a second on hand-held devices.
The things people are doing are different.
–
–
–
The human genome had not been decoded.
Climate warming and change - Green technology was not a common term in 1998.
Financial engineering was in its infancy. Neuroscience has developed.
The international system was different.
–
–
–
9/11 had not happened - ITAR regulations prevent collaborations.
The G20 has replaced the G8.
China will have the largest economy in the world in 20 years - all the largest ports in the world are in
China.
California's support of its educational system was much stronger in 1998
–
–
The costs of undergraduate education has visibly increased
Comparative achievement scores have improved in math but slipped in other areas.
Creating the
STEM Innovation Infrastructure
Necessary for Success
Mission of the California STEM Innovation
Network (CSI-Network)
• Address California’s workforce needs by diversifying and
increasing the number of students who obtain STEM or STEM
related degrees and certificates, and possess the 21st Century
skills required by employers.
• Promote STEM literacy among all students in grades K-14 by
increasing access to high quality STEM learning opportunities
offered by both formal and informal educators.
• Lead advocacy efforts that advance a common vision for
improvements in STEM teaching and learning.
Specifics surrounding intended outcomes will be
formulated around six big ideas:
Leadership – Develop programs that prepare future educators to provide strong
leadership for STEM initiatives and engage future legislators, and national leaders
Empowerment – Empower STEM educators beginning with high quality preparation
programs that strengthen ties between teacher education and STEM disciplines.
Equity of Access – Foster greater access to learning opportunities. Provide for multiple
pathways that prepare students for placement exams and coursework that can accelerate
progress towards STEM certificates/degrees.
Partnerships – Raise the visibility of innovators, connect STEM efforts, and secure
resources to help grow effective programs and practice.
Ubiquitous Technologies – Make use of a variety of technology resources and advocate
for continued investments to ensure that access to broadband and support is available.
Perpetual Change – Develop a blueprint that will contain detailed plans for advancing all
of the above.
Blueprint Development Process
October 16, 2009
Writers
Blueprint
Drafting
Session
Thinkers
Gathering
Nov 6, 2009
Discussion #1
Individual
Consultations
Nov 13, 2009
Nov 30-Dec 14, 2009
Dec 18, 2009
Discussion #2
Project
Coordination
Team
Jan 4, 2010
Executive
Leadership
Team
Jan 4, 2010
CSI Net
Summit
Feb 25-26, 2010
BASIC DESIGN PRINCIPLES TO GUIDE THE
BLUEPRINT DRAFTING EFFORT
1. This is a STEM initiative that recognizes the importance of addressing the full range
of needs from pre-kindergarten through post-graduate school, although initial efforts
will focus on students in grades K-14 and the adults who support their learning during
all waking hours.
2. It is learner-centric and not institution centric, meaning our dominant focus is on
learning 24/7 without regard to time or place, including out of school hours, online and
at
home
for
all
learners
(students,
families,
educators,
etc.).
3. The CSI network’s efforts must impact the whole state, but focus its greatest
attention on student communities, learning groups and their support teams (including
parents) in ways that ensure equity of access to those in greatest need of innovative
STEM learning opportunities.
4. The plan should identify promising starting points and a process for assessing and
revising those, and then describe how the CSI-Net will build upon
its success as it moves forward over the next 5-7 years.
5. Like a sports "game plan," it is expected that the blueprint will be quickly adjusted
or amended by the end of the first quarter.
6. Engineering and technology must be treated seriously in the initiative, inclusive of
the out-of-school hours as well as in school time.
7. The initiative needs to integrate the state's technology infrastructure and capacity
to its best advantage.
8. The plan needs to address relevant policies and resources necessary for success.
9. It must include meaningful business community involvement and engagement.
10. It must be innovative in so far as to include novel or untested elements or
unconventional perspectives for which there is some evidence to suggest that the
approach has merit.
11. Elements of the plan must be cost effective and be highly likely to be able to be
sustained over time.
Mechanism for Continuous Improvement of STEM Efforts
As Of 11/02/2009
Oversight
Of
Operations
Annual
STEM
Convention
Living Blueprint
Refreshing Knowledge
Measurable
STEM
Outcomes
Recognition
and
Rewards
Focus On Outcomes
Generating New
Knowledge
Empowerment
Online Resources
Data
and
Analysis
Communications
and
Advocacy
*Brokerage House
*Mapquest For
STEM Pathways
Resources,
Support,
And
Sponsored
Programs for STEM
R&D
Sites