 Tim B Backyard
Are we done with the snow? Even though I had a big maple tree come down during the heavy snow, I am looking forward to a great spring just around the corner.
While things feel more like they are getting back to normal, there are also a lot of new opportunities.
We have more Trade and Industry teachers working across the state and more new programs. A wider assortment of organizations and institutions are offering professional development opportunities and resources for Trade and Industry teachers this spring and summer. With your help, we can continue to add new offerings to the collection.
In this newsletter, there is information about the new state computer science strategic plan and meetings for recruiting more STEM teachers.
Also, I have information about a number of upcoming spring events. There are also reminders about summer workshops, student summer camps, grant/scholarship opportunities, and free resources.
I will keep sending out information, but send me any items you come across and want to share with the community!
Take care and enjoy the warmer months ahead!
Tim Barrett
Back to top
Review the MDE Computer Science Strategic Plan
Minnesota’s Computer Science Working Group has completed their work to develop a State Strategic Plan for computer science, as required by the Computer Science Education Advancement Act Minn. Stat. 120B.241 [2023]. Minnesota’s Computer Science (CS) Working Group developed a state strategic plan for computer science, which describes 10 recommendations for long-term and sustained growth of computer science education across all public K-12 and charter schools in Minnesota. The final plan can be viewed on MDE’s Legislative Report page.
Inventory of Funded Programs to Support Education Workforce
An online resource, "Diversifying the Teacher Workforce: Inventory of Funded Programs," was created by Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), the Office of Higher Education (OHE) and the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) to provide a high-level overview of funded programs that could be utilized locally to support and diversify the CTE educator workforce. This resource is a living document that will be edited and revised as appropriate.
Recruiting and Retaining Diverse STEM Teachers
On Saturday, April 20, at Science Museum of Minnesota, a group of STEM education leaders is continuing a campaign to increase interest in persons from communities of color and American Indian communities to become teachers of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics for K-12 schools. You are invited to join them to help craft and customize messages and strategies for these efforts.
For this event, they are especially encouraging participation by teachers and leaders of technology, engineering, and mathematics, including elementary teachers of STEM. They encourage you to invite other colleagues and a couple of students to join us for this event. Participants will receive a $60 Target gift card for educators, free lunch, parking validation, and Museum passes for the family (passes may be used during or after the event.)
Please register everyone attending the event using this Kick-off Event for Recruiting and Diversifying STEM Teachers registration form. You will receive more details on location and parking in an email before the event. If you have questions, contact John Olson at john.olson@metrostate.edu or 612-801-1490.
Back to top
Siemens Summer Teacher Trainings
Each summer, Tom White and Associates provides a series of Engineering Pathway Curriculum Training. All trainings will be based on 40 contact hours to help secondary school teachers with the skills and confidence necessary to deliver the Siemens Engineering Design, Manufacturing and Automation or Mechatronics and the Internet of Things (IoT) curriculum both in the classroom and virtually. The curriculum, CAD, and teacher training are all free. For more information, check out the Siemens Curriculum website.
Free Summer Welding Training
A summer course designed to help educators teach welding and fabrication techniques to their students is being offered this summer at Austin High School. Teachers will dive into curriculum and be provided with a couple project ideas that require minimal materials. The course will be June 24-28, 2024. The course is limited to 18 teachers, so please register quickly. Go to the Austin Public Schools Community Education Department site to register. If you have any questions, please reach out to the instructor, Ryan Stanley.
Manufacturing Training for High School Faculty
Alexandria Technical and Community College is hosting the annual manufacturing trainings for high school faculty. They are holding sessions for Machine Tool Technology on June 12-14 and Welding on June 17-18, 2023. The trainings are free. The deadline to sign up is Friday, May 17, 2024.
You can register at the Alexandria Technical and Community College website. If you have questions, please contact Carrie Hanson at carrieh@alextech.edu.
ASE National Instructor Education Conference
The 10th Annual ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) Instructor Training Conference will be live and in person in Minneapolis on July 15-18, 2024. There will be 20+ hours of technical update training, connect with industry peers, and much more! Find more event and contact information on the ASE Education Foundation website.
|
|
 |
SCSU WBL Endorsement Option/Summer Workshops
St. Cloud State University (SCSU)'s Department of Environmental and Technological Studies offers a number of online and in-person courses to assist Trade and Industry teachers with licensure, now including courses for a work-based learning endorsement.
Please check the SCSU website for more information and to register.
Computer Science Professional Learning
Applications are open for the Code.org Professional Learning Program for middle and high school educators! If you’re interested in teaching computer science for the 2024-25 academic year, this is a great opportunity to explore CS curriculum and collaborate with educators of all experience levels to develop lesson plans and teaching strategies. Middle and high school teachers will begin with a five-day in-person workshop on Computer Science Discoveries, Computer Science Principles, and Computer Science A in the summer, with quarterly meetings thereafter.
Back to top
Coolest Microsim Contest
The "Coolest Microsim Contest," is a unique and exciting competition designed to inspire creativity and innovation in the field of mechanical engineering and A.I.-driven computer programming. Students in grades K-12 can participate as individuals or as a classroom with their teachers from January 15 to June 15, 2024. There is more information at the MN State IT Center of Excellence website.
Summer Camps
CAV Career Pathways Camp
The CAV Career Pathways Camp is a one-week day camp for high school students interested in vehicles and the latest technology. Students learn about connected and automated vehicle (CAV) technology and explore career opportunities in a cutting-edge industry that will help shape the future of transportation. Applications for the 2024 CAV Career Pathways Camp are due by April 30, 2024. Contact ctscamps@umn.edu for more information.
 |
|
Hands-On Student Manufacturing Camps
Alexandria Technical & Community College (ATCC) offers free learning experience camps in June for students entering grades 10-12 this fall. Throughout the camp, students will use Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) skills to plan, machine, weld and wire a Bluetooth speaker to take home. For more information and to register, go to the ATCC website.
|
Nitro-X Summer Camps
Nitro-X camps are designed for middle or high school students and are hosted by Minnesota State Colleges and Minnesota High Schools. The camps offers students the opportunity to explore careers in transportation through hands-on activities with radio controlled (RC) cars. This includes learning about how vehicles work, building their confidence with technical skills, and working in teams to develop life and employability skills, gaining exposure to industry and showing off their RC skills with a race.
Find more information and register on the Minnesota State Transportation Center of Excellence website.
Summer Career and Technical Skill Camps
Minnesota State offers a variety of summer camps for middle and high school students. With 54 campuses across the state, these opportunities provide fun, interactive, and experiential learning experiences on a Minnesota State college or university campus. Students build self-confidence, while learning new skills. Check out our summer camp options below and check back often since we update information frequently. Spots fill fast, so inquire with campuses today!
You can find more information at the Summer Camps webpage.
Free NSTI Summer Camp
Students entering grades 8-12 and interested in learning more about engineering and transportation are invited to apply for one or two week-long camps in June on the South Dakota State University (SDSU) campus. All selected students will receive scholarships to attend the National Summer Transportation Institute. The scholarship will cover the cost of on-campus housing, food and workshops. During this one-week-long summer camp, students will be introduced to different aspects of transportation engineering, such as planning, materials, and transportation modes among other topics. Students will also have an opportunity to participate in hands-on lab activities in workshops and learn from experts about the transportation sector and the problems transportation engineers solve.
Application deadline is May 10, 2024.
For more information and registration, check out the SDSU registration webpage.
Scholarships
WIT 2024 Spring Scholarship Applications
The Women in Trucking (WIT) Foundation is now accepting applications for the Spring 2024 scholarship cycle through Sunday, April 15, at 5 p.m. ET. Any female who will be attending a training facility for the purpose of advancing their career in the areas of safety, driving, technical, or leadership in the trucking industry is eligible to apply for a scholarship.
For more information and to apply, visit the WIT scholarships webpage.
MAPA Scholarships for High School Students
The Minnesota Asphalt Pavement Association (MAPA) will award up to 10 scholarships for $1,000 each to students interested in pursuing a career in road construction or asphalt industry. Students can be pursuing a two- or four-year degree in programs such as: Heavy Equipment Operation and Maintenance, Construction Management, Heavy Construction Equipment, Trucking, Diesel Maintenance, Construction Technology, Civil Engineering or other related degrees.
|
BrandSource Scholarships
Do you know any students with foster care experience entering Appliance Repair, Carpentry, Electrician, or Plumbing? The BrandSource Trade Scholarship is now accepting applications for funds up to $5,500 a year for up to two years. The eligibility requirements and the digital application can be found on the BrandSource website.
Construction Career Scholarships
A great number of Minnesota’s construction-related associations offer scholarships for young people seeking careers in the industry. Check out the Project Build Minnesota website for organizations that are handing out money. Take a look!
Horatio Alger Career & Technical Scholarships
The Career & Technical Scholarship Program awards scholarships to students who have faced and overcome great obstacles in their lives and wish to pursue a career or technical education at an accredited non-profit post-secondary institution in the United States. Funds may be used for tuition, fees, books and supplies.
The Horatio Alger Career & Technical Education Scholarship application opens on March 15 with a priority deadline of June 15 each year. Should spaces remain, the application will remain open until all scholarships are awarded. Please refer to the CTE Scholarship page to confirm the current application status.
All scholarship funds are paid directly to the institution on behalf of the recipient. Complete details are available at the Horatio Alger Association Scholarship webpage.
|
Tech Trac Student Sponsorship Program
Luther Tech Trac is a program dedicated to supporting a select group of the best and brightest students who have shown passion and ambition for a career in the Automotive Technician fields. Find benefits and requirements at the Luther Tech Trac website.
Back to top
Updates to MDE Trade and Industry Page
Check out the webpage at the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) for Trade and Industry for the most recent information about the various topics concerning Career and Technical Education (CTE) program areas of Construction, Manufacturing, Transportation, and Communications Technology. An updated version of the CTE Credit Equivalency document and SBE (School-Based Enterprises) Guidance for Schools are now available.
Free Computer Science Curriculum for Teachers
Teachers use the IT Exploration (ITX) Curriculum to help their students gain computer science and technology knowledge and skills. There are nine modules available that reflect the in-demand skills of the IT industry. For more information and to download the curriculum, go to the Minnesota IT Center of Excellence website.
Five Free Lessons on Introductory Trade Skills
Engage your students in measurement basics, electrical principals, welding safety and more with the lessons and activities in this free guide. Find the free guide and other free resources at the Realityworks website.
IEEE REACH Resources
IEEE REACH provides pre-university teachers with free, open educational resources that situate science, technology, and engineering in their social and humanistic contexts. The resources include inquiry-designed lesson plans, hands-on activities and short engaging videos. A new addition is a history of drones. Check it out at the IEEE REACH website.
Check Out These Additional Career Exploration or Curriculum Resources:
Back to top
Want to let folks know about a great project or new program or initiative? Know of a great resource or professional development opportunity you would like to share? Have a burning question that needs answering?
Let me know about it so I can include it in an upcoming newsletter. If you have images that go with the information, please send it along to Tim Barrett (tim.barrett@state.mn.us).
Back to top
Professional Organizations:
- International Technology and Engineering Education Association (ITEEA) – Find more information at the ITEEA website.
- Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) – Learn more at the ACTE website.
Minnesota-Based Partner Organizations:
- Midwest Teachers of Transportation and Industrial Areas (MTTIA) – Sign up to join at the MTTIA website.
- Minnesota Technology and Engineering Education Association (MTEEA) – Get more information at the MTEEA website.
- Minnesota chapter of the Computer Science Teacher Association (CSTA MN) – Get more information at the CSTA MN website.
- SkillsUSA Minnesota – For more information, visit the Minnesota chapter of SkillsUSA at the SkillsUSA Minnesota website.
- Minnesota Association of Career and Technical Administrators (MACTA) – Check out how MACTA helps support CTE on the MACTA website.
Minnesota State’s Centers of Excellence
Explore the Minnesota State Centers of Excellence.
Labor Market Infographics
This page has links to a number of helpful infographics that provide key data to parents concerning the value of CTE career pathways.
RealTime Talent Minnesota Career & Technical Education Pathway Reports
These labor market reports and corresponding presentations provide future trends in workforce needs by regions of Minnesota.
DEED Regional Labor Market Profiles
Downloadable information about jobs/careers most needed per state region.
Advisory Committee Handbook
This handbook was developed to help build and sustain a strong and active advisory committee.
Back to top
|
