Our STEM hub employs 2 full-time STEM Specialists. They are licensed and seasoned educators who travel across the valley to help teachers incorporate STEM into their existing curriculum. Our STEM Specialists model lessons and help with STEM Integration.

We also offer a lending library full of high-tech tools (example: 3D printers, drones, robotics) available for all Rogue Valley educators to check out and use with their classes.

Throughout the year, we host many classroom x industry connections such as tours — students getting to go to a new work site to see potential careers– and some inviting local professionals into the classroom to talk about employability skills. We also bring teachers and employers together to plan student projects that help make learning relevant.

Getting teachers up to speed with changing industry demands is important too. We partner with regional economic development to get teachers and local industry professionals talking. By opening up the conversation, we can ensure that we’re growing future employees to fill local high-wage, high-demand careers.

Often, we are interested in what we are familiar with… but this doesn’t always mirror what our innate aptitudes (talents) are. The YouScience platform  offers students a series of brain games that helps show students how their brain naturally works and what their strengths are. This strengthfinder helps show students (and their career counselors) where their interests and aptitudes align. Then, it goes a step further and shows them how those skills correlate to real-world, in-demand jobs. These tools help inspire pathway selection and career exploration and confidence.

Career Connected Learning refers to hands-on learning projects. One popular example is the Team Oregon Build Initiative where students get to learn the construction trades while meeting a need in the community. We have several new resources to help teachers and students with career exploration: Career Connect Oregon, Career Journeys, Oregon Employability Skills.