As an organization committed to STEM excellence, Housatonic Community College (HCC) proudly announced today that it is now a certified Carnegie STEM Excellence Pathway Provider. The only community college in the nation to offer this world-class training, HCC will present an inaugural training workshop on Saturday, November 9th to all schools and educators looking to improve their STEM education using research-based, best practice planning processes.
The nationally acclaimed Carnegie STEM Excellence Pathway is a strategic planning process to provide schools and districts with the time, tools and collaboration needed to improve their STEM education initiatives. The Pathway, which is comprised of three parts, will be facilitated by HCC educators who have been rigorously trained by Carnegie Science Center.
The STEM Excellence Pathway has proven to be the desired model for creating a national stamp of excellence in schools across the country. HCC is the only organization in the lower New England and the NY-NJ region offering the training program.
This initial workshop, entitled the 'Emerging Workshop,' is a first step toward improving STEM offerings or to evaluate progress on improvement. Participants will work collaboratively to create an action plan to put into place at their educational institution. In one 6-hour session, attendees will gain an understanding of high-quality STEM education, reflect on current conditions of STEM education in their own schools/districts, identify key priority areas for improvement and develop a plan of action.
The workshop will take place Saturday November 9th from 9am – 3pm at the Beacon Hall Event Center on the HCC campus, located at 900 Lafayette Blvd. in Bridgeport, CT. The cost is $150, including all materials and lunch. The deadline for registration is Friday, November 1st. Those interested should contact Dean Robin Avant, or visit www.Housatonic.edu/STEM
"This training is appropriate for any school or district looking to adopt best practices in STEM education," said Robin Avant, Housatonic Community College Academic Dean. "Participants will walk away with a stronger understanding of what it means to deliver superior STEM instruction, and a customized plan with action steps that make sense for their own schools."
A follow-up workshop, entitled 'Processing Workshop' will take place early next year. During that session, attendees will collaborate on common action plan goal areas, review their progress and identify further support and resources for achieving goals. During the final session, the 'Advancing Workshop,' participants meet one-on-one with HCC educators, reflecting on their plan implementation and their schools'/districts' connection to the four pillars of STEM education, making plans for continued progress.
“Getting students interested in STEM subject matter, and placing high-quality, best practice STEM educational programs in place in our schools and districts is crucial to preparing a pipeline of talented and well-trained people to work in these fields,” said Avant.
Becoming the regional Carnegie STEM Excellence Pathway Provider is only the latest step in the college’s STEM journey. Students there can choose from over 40 associate degree or certificate options under the Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math disciplines. Adding Arts to STEM learning, HCC hosts an annual two-day STEAMfest event, offers STEAM research trips and plans to open a STEAM Center of Excellence later this year.
HCC is currently accepting schools for the 2019-2020 cohort. If you are interested in learning more about this training opportunity, please contact Robin Avant at or visit www.Housatonic.edu/STEM
Image Above::Housatonic Community College is now offering Carnegie STEM Excellence Pathway Training. The initial “Emerging Workshop” training will be offered on November 9th. Hurry, registration is going on now.
# # #
About Housatonic Community College Serving southern Connecticut for over 50 years, Housatonic Community College (HCC) offers a student-centered, high quality and accessible education through over 60 associate degree programs to prepare students for transfer to four-year institutions. The college also offers occupational associate degrees and certificate programs, and the non-credit division partners with local business and industry to offer workforce training and customized professional development. HCC is distinguished as an Achieving the Dream Leader Institution and is ranked by the Aspen Institute among nation’s top 150 community colleges.
Media Contact: Laura Roberts, 203-273-2218