STEM Applications

Shelly Scott

Course Description

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Applications is an innovative instructional program that prepares students to engage in future academic and vocational courses of study in high school, community college, and institutions of higher learning. Students in STEM Applications complete study in technology literacy, the design process, emerging technologies, computer-aided design, sustainable design and technology, power and energy, robotics simulation, financial and economic literacy, and workplace skills for the 21st century. The STEM Applications curriculum framework is built upon 21st Century Skills Standards, ACT College Readiness Standards, and the National Educational Technology Standards for Students.

Student Prerequisites

Students should be enrolled as ninth graders in order to take STEM Applications.

Introduction

Development of the STEM Applications curriculum arose from the growing career opportunities in this area. As technology grows, so grows the need for an educated and competent workforce. Though Mississippi offers secondary and post-secondary programs that focus on the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, a need for an introductory course materialized. Students need the opportunity to be introduced to the concepts associated with the STEM area before they choose a specialty area. Additionally, the concepts discussed in STEM Applications are those that will be beneficial to all students in future endeavors, whether they choose academic or career and technical education.

Course Outline

Course code: 000273

*Unit Number*	*Unit Name*	*Hours*
1	Orientation and Ethics	5
2	Technology Literacy	5
3	The Design Process	5
4	Emerging Technologies (ongoing)	5
5	Computer Aided Design	25
6	Sustainable Design and Technology	10
7	Power and Energy	25
8	Robotics Simulation	10
9	Financial and Economic Literacy	20
10	Workplace Skills: School to Careers	10
*Total*		120

Needs of the Future Workforce

Currently, there are approximately 40,000 positions in the STEM area in the state of Mississippi, with over 8 million nationwide. According to the Economic Modeling Specialists Inc. (EMSI), employment needs are expected to rise by 19% by the year 2019. Computer science, engineering, and life sciences alike are all expected to have large employment percentage gains in the next decade.

SOC Code	Description	MS 2010 Jobs	MS 2019 Jobs	Change	% Change	2010 Median Hourly Wage	National 2010	National 2019	National % Change	2010 National Median Hourly Earnings
15-0000	Computer and mathematical science occupations	12,057	14,513	2,456	20%	$22.20	3,786,413	4,354,991	15%	$32.72
17-0000	Architecture and engineering occupations	17,495	20,519	3,024	17%	$26.70	2,592,768	2,787,937	8%	$32.79
19-0000	Life, physical, and social science occupations	10,386	12,361	1,975	19%	$23.44	1,787,919	2,098,819	17%	$26.65
	Total	39,938	47,393	7,456	19%	$24.49	8,167,101	9,241,747	13%	$31.41
Source: EMSI Complete Employment - 1st Quarter 2011

STUDENT RULES AND EXPECTATIONS

Students and Parents should carefully read all information below.

MATERIALS

All Students should have a folder to transport documents, pencils or pens, a highlighter, and paper. The majority of all work will be done on computer using the Canvas site.

https://mde.instructure.com/login/canvas

CLASS BEHAVIOR

Respect and cooperation will be demanded. You will be treated as an adult and will be held responsible for your behavior. You are to come prepared to work each day. DISRESPECTFUL BEHAVIOR WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. This means treat all classmates with respect. We will learn how to respectfully discuss and disagree between each other. We will refer to the handbook for any needed disciplinary action.

ROOM CLEANLINESS

You will be responsible for keeping your desk area clean and tidy. Each day at the end of your class period you will need to put ALL things back in their proper places. Each person is responsible for their own area. This is OUR room, so we will show some pride in it.

ORGANIZATION

As a future employee, you need to develop organizational skills. It is very unprofessional to lose or misplace documents. Only 1 copy of handouts will be given to students. If you lose or misplace this copy, it is your responsibility to secure a replacement. Students will be allowed to borrow a copy of handouts if necessary to copy them by hand or to retype them for themselves…NOT TO HAVE ANOTHER TEACHER OR STUDENT PHOTOCOPY THEM.

ASSIGNMENTS

Assignments should always be turned in on time. ABSOLUTELY NO LATE WORK will be excepted UNLESS you have an excused absence. This policy is not open for discussion and will be strictly followed and enforced. Any student caught cheating will receive a ZERO for the assignment or test and referred to the Principal.

CLASS DISMISSAL

Always wait on the teacher to dismiss the class before leaving the room. Remain seated until dismissed.