2020 STEM Conference

The six-week Pipeline and Pathways (P2) summer internship successfully recruited the largest number of student participation to date, via a virtual platform. In the midst of a pandemic, over 30 students, from various academic institutions (i.e., Desoto High, Lancaster High, Cedar Valley College, etc.) participated in a unique virtual internship. Each week, students completed AutoCAD and Python assignments and sharpened their skills in both coding and graphic design. In addition to academic development, the internship included a professional development component. Students received applicable industry advice from engineers and computer scientists across the country, who are leaders at companies such as IBM, Lockheed Martin and FedEx.

This presentation takes an in-depth look at strategies to engage students in the learning process and focuses on creating opportunities for inquiry, investigation, research and resolution. As a result of the PBI Grant, a Project-Based Learning Library was created as a resource for STEM educators interested in engaging students beyond the traditional classroom setting. The STEM Resource Guide was also developed to highlight extended learning opportunities in the Dallas-Fort Worth region to promote access and exposure for students to STEM.

This presentation discussion focuses on the purpose and impact of Math Supplemental Instruction at Cedar Valley.

The Role of K-12 Education plays a critical role in preparing students to pursue careers in STEM. Mr. Steven Johnson discusses the phenomenon from the perspective of a former Engineer and School District Teacher and Administrator. The presentation inside glimpse of STEM Education and stresses the practical measures to promote diversity in STEM.

An in-depth look at the effects of mass incarceration being used as a means to punish and reprimand students in public schools, which causes subliminal division amongst peers and amongst others. It is obvious the lines of distance, distress and destruction are mocked by socially incarcerating our youth with false and mass punishments. Mrs. Paula Ware identifies it as, “The One Bad Apple Mindset”.

What do students do AFTER they learn internet safety? How do they use their knowledge to leave a lasting impact on their communities? Come discover how to move from digital citizenship to civic literacy. Participants will leave with an action plan and resources to facilitate culturally relevant #DigCit community application.

Presentation Abstract Center for CS Education & Outreach is part of the Computer Science department at the University of Texas at Dallas. Center has been conducting 100+ summer coding camps for the community and after-school coding clubs in 50+ schools during the school year, from 2014. Visit utdallas.edu/k12 or events for more information about the center's activities. Additionally, the center hosts industry professionals regularly for technical presentations and workshops for UTD students, in reality, they are open to all. Visit Meetup.com (Center for CS Education and Outreach) or Facebook (Center for CS Education and Outreach) for a list of events and more information.

As our schools become more diverse, school leaders and teachers must become more aware of, and appreciative of, cultural differences, so they can better educate all students and communicate with them to encourage student success. Cultural competency can't be achieved overnight. Yet, in today's increasingly diverse classrooms, it is critical that educators become culturally competent in order to encourage student success. Understanding diverse cultures and how to relate to those cultures is key to enabling all students to succeed. As educators and school leaders, the journey to competency begins with understanding one's own cultural biases and expectations and extends to understanding the culture of the district and each school building within it. This workshop is designed for educators to gain a deeper understanding of what it means to be culturally competent and is focused on creating more inclusive school environments. Participants will come away with the tools to develop the vision and strengths to support an inclusive setting.

Presentation Abstract Learn more about some key success strategies being used by Cedar Valley to help students be successful. Presentation will talk about student enrollment cohorts, peer mentoring, and events.

Opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) exist now more than ever for community college students interested in pursuing careers in the guided pathway of STEM. However, the disconnect between the number of students enrolling in these opportunities and those completing STEM degree requirements before graduation is alarming, to say the least, especially amongst minority students. The lack of students pursuing and completing STEM coursework at the community college level directly impacts the number of students who enroll and pursue STEM degrees at four-year universities.

For over two decades the American Institute for Leadership Development and Training has focused on solving the problems of education and economic inequities plaguing underserved communities in the U.S. We have modeled and prototyped several successful programs to address these issues. Our most successful programs involve helping African American males between the ages of 12-24 identify and leverage existing community resources to build careers in STEM-related industries.

In this session, Dallas College students share their experiences from participating in the spring 2020 mINiTERN program. The mINiTERN program provides real-world business experience and skills to students in a 10-week program where students, working with a team advisor, act as a consulting team to evaluate a company or industry issue. Students interact weekly sharing project plans, questions and findings with host company employees. Project teams present their analysis and strategic recommendations to the host company through a formal end-of-project presentation.