AWARD YEAR: 2023

PARTNERS IN MINISTRY (AKA ROCKINGHAM DISTRICT PARTNERS IN MINISTRY)

DIRECTOR: MELBA MCCALLUM

PROJECT TITLE: CAREER AND EXPLORATION STEM ACADEMY (CESA)

Partners In Ministry (PIM) proposes to expand and enhance its SYSTEM (Strengthening Youth in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and Upward Bound Programs through a Career and Exploration STEM Academy (CESA). CESA is designed to actively and creatively engage 150 middle and high school students in a structured after-school and summer STEM exploration experience. The Academy will integrate learning that occurs during the school day with STEM education to help close the academic achievement gap of our rural, underserved, and underrepresented middle and high school students in Scotland County. The Academy will identify the interests and skill sets of middle and high school students and offer them the education and resources needed to strengthen STEM-related skills in the areas of science and mathematics including but not limited to coding, robotics, technology, engineering, and environmental science. The curriculum will focus on specific STEM interests/pathways coupled with project-based learning activities, as participants build their critical thinking skills needed to transition from middle and high school STEM tracks to college STEM pathways. The participants will engage in scientific inquiry using an exciting hands-on approach to build interest and expose these youths to careers in STEM fields understanding that these careers are achievable and viable options for them. Moreover, the curriculum will be aligned with the NC Science Standard Course of Study and focuses on strengthening students’ skills in critical thinking, measurement, estimation, experimentation, and analytical reasoning.

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