Your partner in STEM

Science, technology, engineering and math

A partnership between Lethbridge College Center for Teaching, Learning and Innovation, Lethbridge College Center for Trades, and Alberta school divisions to promote authentic learning experiences in K–12 STEM subjects.

The STEM projects’ driving goal is to tap into the amazing real-world application of trade tools and theory to provide learners with context for learning topics in science and mathematics. This project fosters collaboration among K–12 teachers, Lethbridge College instructors, and industry to design and develop authentic learning opportunities for students in K–12 STEM subjects.

Goals:

Build awareness among K–12 students and teachers regarding the value and desirability of careers in the skilled trades
Identify connections between Alberta K–12 mathematics and science curriculum and LC trades curriculum
Engage industry in bridging the gap between K–12 and post-secondary learning experiences
Provide teachers with knowledge and resources to support authentic learning in STEM subjects
Increase student success in trades programs
Increase the number of skilled tradespeople in Alberta

Timeline

Read through the timeline by clicking on each point.

Project Launch

Westwind School Division Teacher Warren Anderson and Sheldon Anderson, Dean of Trades at Lethbridge College identify the opportunity to collaborate on the development of authentic learning experiences for K–12 STEM subjects, and involve Joelle Reynolds, Learning Experience Designer in the Lethbridge College Centre for Teaching, Learning and Innovation (CTLI) to support development of the project.
Objectives for this work and an initial project brief with phases is developed.

Engagement

Consultations begin with Westwind teachers in K–12 Math and Science subjects and Lethbridge College instructors with the goal of identifying curriculum alignments to the Plumbing, Electrical, Carpentry and Automotive Service Technician Trades.

Project Planning

To narrow the focus and foster development of some initial prototypes with the intention of expanding to other trades in the future, the Automotive Service Technician trade is selected to further identify curriculum alignments to K–12 Science and Math subjects.

Ideation

Collaboration sessions are facilitated between AST instructors, Westwind School Division teachers, and CTLI staff to ideate on potential resources to be developed.

Communications

Beginning of communication efforts regarding the project, including recording of a Learning Innovation: The Teaching and Learning Podcast Episode, sharing with additional Zone 6 school division partners and provincial partners in post-secondary education.

Rapid Prototyping Cycles
Prototypes are actively being developed for the first phase of deliverables:

Curriculum crossover documents between the automotive service tech trade and K-12 STEM subjects
Learning Kits (physical kits) and accompanying activity recommendations
Guest Speaker directory
Video library featuring trades instructors and teachers collaborating to demonstrate STEM topics

Communication

Case Study development will generate more materials to support communications about the project

Development

Teacher’s Convention Experience Development – development of on-campus and off-campus HANDS ON experience for teachers to learn more about trades and the K-12 STEM project

Delivery
Phase 1 Deliverable Milestone will result in the completion of several assets:

Teachers Professional Development /Teacher’s Convention Experiences
Preparation to launch of all Phase 1 resources
Website launch

Expansion and Iteration

Launch of all phase 1 resources to Westwind school division.
Expansion of Teacher's Convention Experience Development planning to Alberta-wide for February-March 2024.
Communication effort update regarding the project, including recording of another Learning Innovation: The Teaching and Learning Podcast episode.
Sharing within the institution, Zone 6 school division partners, industry partners, and provincial partners in post-secondary education.
Working with industry experts in the creation of the expert directory.
Providing professional development opportunities with zone 6 school division educators.

Deliverables

Identified curriculum alignments between trades and K–12 STEM subjects
A variety of authentic learning experiences and resources for use by K–12 teachers
Case study for dissemination of information

Glossary

STEM – an acronym for science, technology, engineering, and math.

Alignments

CTLI future state goals

Drive innovative curriculum development

Leverage cutting-edge educational technology to boost diverse student engagement and meet a range of teaching goals

Foster holistic student development in an inclusive learning environment

Prioritize the needs of all learners, including diverse learners, mature learners, indigenous students, remote learners, international students and those with disabilities, in the design of learning experiences and academic supports

Develop continuous faculty development programs

Encourage continuous professional growth for faculty through opportunities for exploration, skill acquisition, and reflective practices

Skills for Jobs Task Force

The Skills for Jobs task force recommends increasing K–12 students’ knowledge of the different types of apprenticeships offered in the province, including the kinds of careers students can enter and how they can get there. This can be done, in part, by discussing trades opportunities in classrooms and bringing industry members into K–12 classrooms for discussions and activities that will help students learn about trades apprenticeships and careers.

Alberta 2030: Building Skills for Jobs Objectives

The Alberta 2030: Building Skills for Jobs initiative involves government working with educators, post-secondary institutions, and industry members to develop strategies that will benefit workers and the provincial labour market.

This project will help meet these objectives by giving students the knowledge they need to make informed choices about their post-secondary education; increase apprenticeships in the careers and trades of the future; and create a strong partnership between employers, industry, and post-secondary institutions within the province.

Engagement

We believe that meaningful stakeholder engagement is essential to any good initiative. Below is a list of engaged stakeholders. (Classification based on CTLI engagement framework and IAP2 Public Participation Spectrum)

Inform

Our promise: We will keep you informed about the project and decisions that are made.

Alberta-wide school divisions and trade schools
Public

Consult

Our promise: We will consult with you to ensure your viewpoint is heard and considered when making decisions. We will communicate how this input and feedback influenced the decisions made.

Rob Doig – Assistant Superintendent, Learning Services, Westwind School Division
Todd Heggie – Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources, Westwind School Division
Terri Duncan – Deputy Superintendent, Horizon School Division
Carmen Larsen – Deputy Superintendent, Holy Spirit School Division
Chad Kuzyk – Deputy Superintendent, Livingston School Division

Involve

Our promise: We will work directly with you to ensure your viewpoints and concerns are reflected in the decisions made.

Warren Anderson – STEM Project Consultant, Youth Initiatives
Matthew Prete – STEM Project Consultant, Youth Initiatives
Joelle Reynolds – Associate Dean, Youth Initiatives
Allyssa Acojedo – Administrative Assistant, Youth Initiatives
Brianne Hutchinson – Learning Experience Designer, CTLI
Roy Mugisha – Media Specialist, LC Studio
Kiri Stolz – Media Specialist, LC Studio

Collaborate

Our promise: We will partner directly with you throughout the project and decision making process. We will create joint solutions or recommendations.

Warren Anderson – STEM Project Consultant, Youth Initiatives
Matthew Prete – STEM Project Consultant, Youth Initiatives
Joelle Reynolds – Associate Dean, Youth Initiatives
Allyssa Acojedo – Administrative Assistant, Youth Initiatives
Brianne Hutchinson – Learning Experience Designer, CTLI
Roy Mugisha – Media Specialist, LC Studio
Kiri Stolz – Media Specialist, LC Studio
Sheldon Anderson – Dean of Trades, Lethbridge College
Kevin Wiber – Associate Dean, CTRA
Westwind School Division Teachers: Craig Noad, Mark Iwassa, Curtis Leishman, Jared Leavitt, Rob Hill, Josh Sherwood, Layne Barnett, Erick Stewart
Automotive Service Technician instructors: Jared Tymburski, Mike Darlow, Brian Sorensen, Dave Cole, Dave Daniels, Eric Mitchell, Justin Romeril, Walter Michel, Tim Fyfe, Colin Skulmoski, Rob Lindhout