From the unveiling of an image of a black hole to the use of Artificial Intelligence to single out neurons, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) is often discussed in the world of education. The focus is on how educators can prepare students for the demands STEM related fields in our growing economy.  According to the Smithsonian Science Education Center, "STEM related jobs grew at three times the rate of non-STEM jobs between 2000 and 2010.” It was estimated that in 2018, 2.4 million STEM jobs were left vacant. Therefore, the expectation in education is to encourage students to develop cross curricular skills in the classroom which could translate into STEM related fields.

Student exposure to STEM comes in various ways whether through a summer program, the classroom, or community. The exposure of STEM in the classroom is a priority and is critical, however there must be a connection between the theoretical and practical. How does STEM look within the community students participate in? At times, STEM is siphoned into the category of a scientist in a lab coat. However, STEM is so much more and it is imperative that education professionals provide students with the necessary exposure to STEM related fields and careers.

A strategy for exposing students to STEM related careers include inviting STEM professionals in the community to share their expertise as it relates to content shared in the classroom environment. For example, in my Applied Tech AB course students were introduced to encryption and decryption and this week they will learn from two professionals how encryption is used to protect pertinent information in computer systems. The community to classroom connection is invaluable and necessary for students to gain exposure in STEM.

The community to classroom connection can also facilitate meaningful interactions that extend to all stakeholders in a school district or school complex. This can be accomplished with a student led STEM Night where students actively display and engage the community in the concepts learned in the classroom environment. In an upcoming STEM Night, students will actively demonstrate concepts involving kinetic and potential energy, polar and non polar interactions, force and motion and much more!  These scientific concepts will be shared with students’ peers, parents, STEM professionals and the community. Additionally, members of the community will display how their profession connects with the concepts students are learning in the classroom.

As we daily learn of the extraordinary gains made in the STEM, educators must be mindful to create a classroom to community bridge . This serves as a resource with experiences students can draw from in the years to come. How are you creating a culture in your school where students are able to bridge the gap between what is learned in the classroom and how it is demonstrated in the real world?