FloridaLearns STEM Scholars

Transcription

1 Participating School Districts FloridaLearns STEM Scholars STEM Talent Development Workplace Experience Guide Panhandle Area Educational Consortium Patrick L. McDaniel, Executive Director Calhoun Franklin Gadsden Gulf Holmes Jackson Jefferson Liberty Madison Taylor Wakulla Walton Washington Heartland Educational Consortium Tom Conner, Executive Director DeSoto Glades Hardee Hendry Highlands Okeechobee North East Florida Educational Consortium James Surrency, Ph.D., Executive Director Columbia Flagler Gilchrest Lafayette Levy P. K. Yonge Putnam Union Florida s Rural STEM Education Initiative

2 Table of Contents General Information Introduction... 3 About FloridaLearns STEM Scholars... 4 STEM Talent Development Initiative Partnership Agreement Declaration of INTERdependence... 9 Becoming a Project Partner as a STEM Talent Developer Invitation from Heartland Educational Consortium STEM Talent Developer Information STEM Talent Developer Experience Agreement STEM Talent Developer Workplace Host Conduct Standards STEM Talent Developer Experience Verification STEM Talent Developer Experience Evaluation STEM Talent Development Experience Student Information and Forms Student Workplace Instructions Student Participation Criteria and Guidelines Student Workplace Request and Agreement Student Review Verification Form Student Reporting Form Sample Thank You Letter STEM Talent Development Policies and Procedures ~ 2 ~

3 Introduction Thank you for taking time to review the FloridaLearns STEM Scholars STEM Talent Development and Workplace Experience Guide. The information contained in the guide is designed to provide Students, Parents/Guardians/Caregivers, and STEM Talent Developers with helpful information as well as policies and procedures. Summary: Selected FloridaLearns STEM Scholars participants will have the opportunity to have a STEM workplace experience in order to gain exposure to a STEM related career of interest and to increase knowledge of STEM careers. Consortia personnel will collaborate with project partners such as Workforce boards, businesses, and industries in order to seek to place students in workplaces aligned to their specific interests. Students must be juniors and/or seniors to be eligible to participate and an application will be required. All experiences depend on availability of appropriate sites in the local area, and the length of the experience will vary. The guide contains multiple forms that are required to participate in this important aspect of the FloridaLearns STEM Scholars Project. Some forms are designed specifically for students and Parent/Guardian/Caregivers, while others are relevant only to STEM Talent Developers. The forms are in separate sections of this guide to make them easy to find. Please complete the appropriate forms that apply to you. Completed student forms should be returned by the student to the STEM Mentor Teacher at the student s high school. STEM Talent Developers should return forms to the attention of the contact from their regional educational consortium named below. Panhandle Area Educational Consortium Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Liberty, Madison, Taylor, Wakulla, Walton, Washington Brenda Crouch, Project Manager 753 West Boulevard, Chipley, FL crouchb@paec.org Fax (850) Heartland Educational Consortium DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Okeechobee John Varady, Project Coordinator 1096 US Highway 27 North, Lake Placid, FL john.varady@heartlanded.org Fax (863) North East Florida Educational Consortium Columbia, Flagler, Gilchrest, Lafayette, Levy, P. K. Yonge, Putnam, Union Sandy Lewis, Project Coordinator 341 Reid Street, Palatka, FL lewisk@nefec.org Fax (386) ~ 3 ~

4 About FloridaLearns STEM Scholars The FloridaLearns STEM Scholars initiative is a multi faceted, three year project funded in 2011 by the Florida Department of Education to the Panhandle Area Educational Consortium (PAEC) and its partners, Heartland Educational Consortium (HEC) and the North East Florida Educational Consortium (NEFEC). The purpose of the $4.5 million award to Florida s three regional educational service organizations, located in the state s three Rural Areas of Critical Economic Concern (RACEC), is to create and implement a model STEM high school system for gifted and talented students in 27 of Florida s small and rural school districts. Florida s three regional educational consortia embarked on this joint venture to ensure that the state s most underserved students, the gifted and talented students in grades 9 12 who reside in PAEC, HEC, and NEFEC school districts, receive individualized services that engage them in an appropriate, rigorous STEM curriculum. Small and rural school district high school students participating in FLSS are those identified by their school districts as gifted and/or talented. The participating districts in Northwest Florida include Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Liberty, Madison, Taylor, Wakulla, Walton, and Washington Counties. The Heartland participating school districts include DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands and Okeechobee. Participating districts in Northeast Florida are Columbia, Flagler, Gilchrist, Lafayette, Levy, P. K. Yonge, Putnam, and Union. Through the FloridaLearns STEM Scholars Project, students will have opportunities to develop the STEM skill sets needed across a range of businesses, industries, and emerging segments of the innovation economy to become an integral part of the highly skilled and educated STEM proficient workforce for Florida s economic future. The initiative will enable these gifted and talented students to make informed career choices and create a framework to increase the likelihood of their success in post secondary STEM curricula or the workplace. Working with regional STEM stakeholders as partners, the three consortia are leading an educational transformation to provide increased access to STEM related courses and rigorous and challenging learning experiences for these gifted and talented students. FloridaLearns STEM Scholars (FLSS), also known as Florida s Rural STEM Education Initiative, involves economic development, workforce development, target industry associations, K 12 education, STEM related higher education faculty, military, business, industry, philanthropic organizations and other public stakeholders. Using the research and strategies found in the recently released Florida STEM Strategic Plan, the program represents current best practices for establishing a highly successful collaborative effort. Together, these STEM stakeholders join STEMflorida, Inc. s unified, statewide initiative to promote STEM talent development for the advancement of the state s knowledge based economy. ~4~

5 STEM Talent Development Initiative The future of Florida s economy is at stake. Without a highly skilled and educated Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) proficient workforce, the state will be unable to develop a strong, diversified economy, is the clear message being urgently declared throughout Florida today. Knowing all too well the impact of their critical economic challenges and related talent development needs, some 27 Florida small and rural school districts from three rural regions of the state joined together last year to create the FloridaLearns STEM Scholars Initiative as one way to respond to this urgent and important call for action. The FloridaLearns STEM Scholar Initiative is a joint venture of Florida s three rural regional educational consortia through a Florida Department of Education, Race to the Top funded project to the Panhandle Area Educational Consortium and its partners. It addresses the need for some of Florida s most underserved students, the gifted and talented students from the 27 small and rural school districts within the partnership, to have increased access to STEM related courses and rigorous and challenging authentic learning experiences. Goals of the initiative align with key goals of Florida s Chamber Foundation; those of ensuring our state can successfully recruit, train, and retain STEM talent for Florida s economic future. Students who are participating in the project hail from three regions of the state: Northwest, served by the Panhandle Area Educational Consortium (PAEC), Northeast, served by the North East Florida Educational Consortium (NEFEC), and the rural South Central Heartland counties in Florida served by the Heartland Educational Consortium (HEC). It is imperative that we afford rural Florida s most capable students glimpses into the STEM workplace and authentic STEM workplace experiences to help our state address this critical talent development need, states Brenda Crouch, the FloridaLearns STEM Scholars Project Manager at the Panhandle Area Educational Consortium. We need help from Florida s STEM stakeholders business, industry, educational institutions, government agencies, economic development, chambers of commerce, trade associations, foundations, workforce development, and other STEM related groups to help us enroll partners to provide these STEM workplace opportunities in our rural counties of the state, she explained. To achieve this mission, FloridaLearns STEM Scholars is launching a STEM Talent Development Campaign in conjunction with the opening of School Year The purpose is to recruit STEM professionals and workplace sites in the local communities of its STEM Scholars. From September through December, local chambers of commerce, economic developers, civic clubs, agencies of Florida s Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI), regional workforce boards, faith based groups and other rural based organizations, will be approached by representatives from one of the three FloridaLearns STEM Scholars Regional Advisory Committees, comprised of regional STEM stakeholder leaders, or project staff to help the initiative recruit potential STEM Talent Developers throughout the campaign outreach in Florida s three rural regions. Joining together, the three regional educational consortia executive directors, Pat McDaniel, PAEC, Dr. Jim Surrency, NEFEC and Tom Conner, HEC, ask for your help in preparing regional high school students who are participating in the initiative to become STEM talent ready to enter ~ 5 ~

6 STEM Talent Development Initiative Florida s STEM career pipeline. Students throughout Florida s rural school districts have skills and abilities that must not go untapped. We strongly encourage business and community leaders across the state to become an integral part of Florida s economic development future by joining us as a STEM Talent Developer in the Northwest, Northeast, or Heartland regions of our state, they add. How can you as a STEM stakeholder become a partner in helping shape Florida s economic future through support of its students in the state s small and rural counties? By contacting project personnel at STEM@heartlanded.org you will receive the STEM Talent Development packet with specific information about enrollment and commitment opportunities. Your role as a STEM Talent Developer may involve you providing any or all of these opportunities for a gifted or academically talented high school junior: shadowing experience; college or career coaching; internship experience; workplace tour; and/or student advocacy. You may also help by providing an opportunity for project staff or regional advisory group members to share their STEM Talent Developer recruitment message, a five minute project developed DVD with brochures, at an appropriate local meeting where potential STEM Talent Developers are in attendance, such as a monthly chamber of commerce or civic meeting. For more information about this initiative, please visit the FloridaLearns STEM Scholars website at or contact Brenda Crouch at crouchb@paec.org. The small amount of time you invest now has potential for significant impact in both the life of a student today and Florida s economy tomorrow. STEM stakeholder partnerships in this mission are critical to our success, she concluded. ~ 6 ~

7 STEM Talent Development Partnership Agreement FloridaLearns STEM Scholars is a Race to the Top funded project designed to help address Florida s STEM talent development needs by: 1. Expanding or establishing AP and/or dual enrollment STEM course offerings for gifted and talented students in their school of enrollment by employing a combination of courses delivered by interactive video conferencing with college professors as instructors, virtual courses offered by Florida Virtual School (FLVS), colleges or universities, and/or faceto face with school based master teachers. 2. Partnering with local colleges, universities, workforce development agencies, career and technical training facilities, military installations, museums, foundations, and STEM related businesses to maximize unique and innovative learning experiences for STEM gifted and talented students. 3. Bringing regional participants together on a regular basis to foster collaborative relationships among them, promote and enhance development of goal setting and ethical leadership skills, heighten recruitment and STEM career awareness, and involve the students in challenging academic activities via face to face and current technologies. 4. Engaging students in doing STEM by providing summer opportunities which may include any of: a. Regional workshops led by university or college faculty from STEM content areas and/or STEM experts from the field; b. Field immersion research experiences with STEM experts alongside STEM teachers; c. A university capstone experience; d. Scholarship assistance for scholars interested in attending an extended university offered STEM research experience; e. Workplace experiences in STEM related businesses and/or industries. 5. Joining with STEM Scholars partners to host regional and/or local seminars where parent and student awareness of educational requirements, benefits, and opportunities in STEM careers is enhanced via on site and/or virtual links with business, industry and agencies 6. Implementing targeted counseling services to: a. Ensure individualized learning plans are in place for participating students; b. Provide course selection, STEM career choice and scholarship advisement; c. Support the social and emotional needs of participating students; and, d. Assist students and their families with transition planning. 7. Providing needs driven professional development for local school administrators, guidance counselors and teachers by developing or utilizing existing resources. (Name of Partner) agrees to promote and support the FloridaLearns STEM Scholars Project by providing support in any combination of the means listed below: 1. Advising project personnel. 2. Providing resources such as print information, food for students, personnel, or meeting space. 3. Providing a student research or workplace experience. 4. Providing support for project activities at the state or local level. 5. Collaborating with project personnel to plan project activities to maximize student experiences. 6. Providing information for project personnel, community members, students, and/or parents. Signature of Individual, Business, or Industry Representative Date ~ 7 ~

8 STEM Talent Development Partnership Agreement The FloridaLearns STEM Scholars initiative is a multi faceted, three year project funded in 2011 by the Florida Department of Education to the Panhandle Area Educational Consortium (PAEC) and its partners, the Heartland Educational Consortium (HEC) and the North East Florida Educational Consortium (NEFEC). The purpose of the $4.5 million award to Florida s three regional educational service organizations, located in the state s three Rural Areas of Critical Economic Concern (RACEC), is to create and implement a model STEM high school system for gifted and talented students in 27 of Florida s small and rural school districts. Florida s three regional educational consortia embarked on this joint venture to ensure the state s most underserved students, the gifted and talented students in grades 9 12, who reside in PAEC, HEC, and NEFEC school districts, receive individualized services that engage them in an appropriate, rigorous STEM curriculum. Small and rural school district high school students participating in FLSS are those identified by their school districts as gifted and talented. The participating districts in Northwest Florida include Walton, Holmes, Washington, Jackson, Gadsden, Calhoun, Liberty, Gulf, Franklin, Wakulla, Taylor, Jefferson, and Madison counties. The Heartland participating school districts include DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands and Okeechobee. Participating districts in Northeast Florida are Columbia, Flagler, Gilchrist, Lafayette, Levy, P. K. Yonge, Putnam, and Union. Through the FloridaLearns STEM Scholars Project, students will have opportunities to develop the STEM skill sets needed across a range of businesses, industries and emerging segments of the innovation economy to become an integral part of the highly skilled and educated STEM proficient workforce for Florida s economic future. The initiative will enable these gifted and talented students to make informed career choices and create a framework to increase the likelihood of their success in post secondary STEM curricula or the workplace. Working with regional STEM stakeholders as partners, the three consortia are leading an educational transformation to provide increased access to STEM related courses and rigorous and challenging learning experiences for these gifted and talented students. FloridaLearns STEM Scholars (FLSS), also known as Florida s Rural STEM Initiative, involves economic development, workforce development, target industry associations, K 12 education, STEM related higher education faculty, military, business, industry, philanthropic organizations and other public stakeholders. Using the research and strategies found in the recently released Florida STEM Strategic Plan, the program represents current best practices for establishing a highly successful collaborative effort. Together, these STEM stakeholders join STEMflorida, Inc. s unified, statewide initiative to promote STEM talent development for the advancement of the state s knowledge based economy. ~ 8 ~

9 Florida s increasingly knowledge-based economy is driven by innovation the foundation of which lies in a dynamic and well-educated workforce equipped with science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills. Florida, like much of the rest of the United States, is failing to develop an adequate supply of workers with the STEM skill sets needed across a range of industries and emerging segments of the innovation economy. For Florida to not only recover and sustain its economy, but to also be a competitor in world markets, it is imperative that connectivity between and integration of business, education and other stakeholders be increased. It is necessary that all stakeholders work cooperatively and collaboratively in a business-led initiative to develop a systemic approach that will result in greater efficiency and effectiveness in STEM talent development. These efforts will align prek-20 STEM education programs, activities and research to workforce expectations, create an organizational environment such that all STEM initiatives in Florida successfully connect, align and cooperate to achieve the common goal of improving student achievement in the STEM Declaration of INTERdependence Addressing STEM Talent in Florida areas, and establish a sound management foundation necessary to ensure sustainability of a Florida STEM Council, which will be created through stakeholder efforts. The purpose of this Declaration of Interdependence is to confirm the support for and planned participation in a unified, statewide effort to promote STEM talent development among the targeted industry sector employers, education and training institutions, economic development organizations and other relevant entities. We pledge our efforts to ensure Florida is equipped with the workforce development systems required to generate the needed quantity and quality of workers with the STEM skills to advance the state s knowledge-based economy. While some responsibilities are rightly shared by all stakeholders, such as identifying and overcoming obstacles to effective STEM talent development including securing sustainable funding, addressing regulatory barriers, recruiting adequate numbers of STEM students, leveraging available resources and the like, we recognize that individual stakeholder groups also have independent responsibilities. The following key principles will guide our activities. We believe the role of business/industry in addressing STEM talent development includes: Identifying, quantifying and communicating the short term and long term specific workforce skills, competencies, certifications and degrees needed. Working with education in the planning, development, oversight and refining of STEM education programs. Serving on education advisory councils. Assisting in student/trainee recruitment and placement. Providing STEM education enrichment opportunities including student internships, teacher externships, apprenticeships and fellowships. Providing financial incentives such as scholarships, tuition reimbursement, and work/study programs in STEM education programs to encourage enrollment. Seeking out and participating in activities which encourage and inform students about STEM careers. We believe the role of education in addressing STEM talent development includes: Developing and implementing STEM training and degree programs to specifically meet the workforce talent demands as expressed by business/industry. Promoting STEM education/training programs to generate the number of graduates successfully trained in the areas required by industry. Promoting STEM student internship and providing student research opportunities. Providing STEM faculty with teacher externship opportunities, providing them with firsthand awareness of career applications of STEM academics. Achieving measureable outcomes that have been mutually identified with business/industry. We believe the role of economic development, workforce development, target industry associations, and other public stakeholders in addressing STEM talent development includes: Facilitating ongoing discussion among industry and other stakeholders to ensure long-term STEM talent development success. Expanding high-value, STEM-related positions in Florida, providing meaningful employment opportunities for students pursuing STEM disciplines. Identifying and educating stakeholders in the relevant stem industry certifications and ensuring certifications earned by students at the local level correspond to the economy s needs. Creating STEM occupational awareness with job seekers. Supporting student scholarships to STEM programs with creative approaches. Monitoring industry, education and economic environments, ensuring a forward thinking, strategic and proactive focus. Name Organization Please return to: Heartland Educational Consortium, 1096 US Hwy 27 N, Lake Placid, FL or to STEM@heartlanded.org ~ 9 ~

10 Becoming a Project Partner as a STEM Talent Developer Invitation from Heartland Educational Consortium Executive Director STEM Talent Developer Information/Questions & Answers STEM Talent Developer Experience Agreement STEM Talent Developer Workplace Host Conduct Standards STEM Talent Developer Experience Verification STEM Talent Developer Experience Evaluation STEM Talent Development is a critical component on the FloridaLearns STEM Scholars Initiative. As a project partner and STEM Talent Developer, you play a key role in connecting curriculum to real world experience and provide important insight into workplace environments. Please make a copy and fill out the STEM Talent Developer Experience Agreement on page 13. The information provided will be passed to the appropriate school district and will be used to match the appropriate student/s to your workplace. The forms on page 15 and 16 should also be copied, completed, and returned following the work place experience. This information will help us keep track of progress and make important adjustments to ensure a positive experience for both student and employer in the future. All forms may be returned by fax to or scanned and e mailed to STEM@heartlanded.org. Forms may also be found at our website and returned electronically. ~ 10 ~

11 Become a STEM Talent Developer Dear Potential STEM Talent Developer: As Executive Director of the Heartland Educational Consortium, a partner in the FloridaLearns STEM Scholars Initiative, and on behalf of the small and rural school districts in our region, I invite you to positively impact the future of a gifted and talented high school junior or senior. I am contacting you to ask for your help in preparing our high school students to become STEM ready. By offering a STEM Talent Development experience to a STEM Scholar who is a high school junior or senior, you can help demonstrate the value of a career in a STEM area. Examples of these experiences include job shadowing, workplace tours, college or career coaching, serving as a student advocate, or hosting an internship. The program s ultimate goal is simple: contribute to the development of a highly skilled and educated STEM workforce to meet the demands of our future economy. We believe the students from your local school district, who are currently participating in the project, have the potential to impact our communities, our state, and our nation as we compete globally in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). Calhoun County Schools Columbia County Schools DeSoto County Schools Flagler County Schools Franklin County Schools Gadsden County Schools Glades County Schools Gilchrist County Schools Gulf County Schools Hardee County Schools Hendry County Schools Highlands County Schools Holmes County Schools Jackson County Schools Jefferson County Schools Lafayette County Schools Levy County Schools Liberty County Schools Madison County Schools Okeechobee County Schools P.K. Yonge Research School Putnam County Schools Taylor County Schools Union County Schools Wakulla County Schools Walton County Schools Washington County Schools If you are willing to serve as a STEM Talent Developer in our region, please complete the attached STEM Talent Developer Experience Agreement and FAX to the attention of STEM at The entire STEM Talent Development Workplace Experience Guide is also available on the FloridaLearns STEM Scholars website at If you have any questions, please don t hesitate to contact the FloridaLearns STEM Scholars consortium staff: John Varady at x209, Lisa Shin at x216, or us at STEM@heartlanded.org We look forward to working together with you, your school district, and the gifted and talented students who will benefit from your commitment in the upcoming school year. The time you invest now has potential for significant impact in both the life of a student today and also Florida s economy tomorrow. Your partnership in this mission is critical to our success and very much appreciated. Sincerely, Tom Conner, Executive Director Heartland Educational Consortium ~ 11 ~

12 STEM Talent Developer Information Questions & Answers Questions & Answers: Q: What does agreeing to become a STEM Talent Developer entail? A: There are multiple options for STEM Talent Developers, involving anything from offering a few hours of career coaching, to one day shadowing experiences, to multi week internship opportunities. Q: How many students are involved in this part of the program? A: For this school year , Heartland Educational Consortium is serving a total of approximately 300 students in the FloridaLearns STEM Scholars Program from our six participating districts. Of these 300 ninth, tenth, and eleventh grade students, approximately 90 eleventh grade students will be eligible to participate in the STEM Talent Development and Workplace Experience portion. Q: What are my responsibilities as a STEM Talent Developer? A: The procedures for the STEM Talent Development portion of our program are: Task 1. Prospective partners complete and return the STEM Talent Developer Experience Agreement 2. Project participants, who are high school juniors, will be provided a list of businesses/agencies that commit to serving as STEM Talent Developers in their area. 3. To apply for a STEM Talent Development experience, the student will complete and parents will sign a STEM Talent Development Application and return it to the designated consortium contact. 4. Consortium personnel will contact the STEM Talent Developer by e mail to let them know to expect a contact from the STEM Scholar. 5. The student (or parent) will contact the business/agency directly to negotiate the details of the workplace experience. 6. Upon completion of the experience, the STEM Talent Developer will complete and fax the STEM Talent Developer Verification Form to STEM at Responsible Party Talent Developer Student Student Consortium Student/Talent Developer Talent Developer Q: Who do I contact if I have questions? A: Please contact the FloridaLearns STEM Scholars Project Staff: you may call either John Varady at ext. 209, Lisa Shin at ext. 216, or us at STEM@heartlanded.org ~ 12 ~

13 STEM Talent Developer Experience Agreement Name of Business or Agency: Business Address: City/State/Zip: Name of Primary Contact: Phone Number: Title: FAX: Business E mail Address for Primary Contact: Place a check on the lines below to indicate the types of STEM Talent Development Experience the business/agency is willing to provide. 1. STEM Career Shadowing 2. College or Career Coaching 3. Internship (length of time and conditions negotiated between business/agency and student) 4. Tour for student or group of students 5. Student Advocate 6. Other (please describe) AGREEMENT OF THE PARTIES TALENT DEVELOPMENT PROVIDER S AGREEMENT: Please check the appropriate boxes I agree to allow STEM Scholars, who are currently in grades 11 or 12, to be placed with me for the purpose of talent development. Conditions of Placement: 1. I agree to comply with all regulations defined by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration, the Fair Labor Standards Act, as well as any other pertinent federal, state, and local employment laws. 2. I agree to adhere to all regulations relating to anti discrimination and equal opportunity. 3. I agree to inform the student of particular safety requirements of this workplace. 4. I agree to notify the school of any accident involving a school student, any actions undertaken and damages to property involving the student during this placement. 5. I agree that the student will work under my supervision or the supervision of my nominee. 6. The arrangement may be terminated at any time by any party to this agreement. 7. No monetary compensation or other benefits (including worker s compensation and health insurance coverage through the school or sponsoring business) will be provided to the student. 8. The hours worked will not exceed the normal hours worked in my industry or allowed by law. 9. The student will not perform any work which is unreasonably dangerous or prohibited by law. 10. I agree to notify the school of any unexplained absences by the student. I have reviewed the FloridaLearns STEM Scholars Policies and Procedures. Signature of Business/Agency Official Printed Name Date Please fax this completed form to , or scan and to STEM@heartlanded.org ~ 13 ~

14 STEM Talent Developer Workplace Host Conduct Standards The following standards are presented to help employers understand the practices expected of them as sponsors of a student work place experience. While these standards seem to be selfevident, it is important to list them. Sponsors should instruct their employees or volunteers to: Not have any inappropriate contact with any student met through their STEM Talent Development experience, including those students 18 years of age or older. Not engage in any workplace experience with any student without the prior consent of the student s school principal or designee. Some examples of inappropriate conduct include, but are not limited to: Violations of state laws regarding child abuse, and or providing alcohol or controlled substances to minors. Use of profanity, vulgar, or inappropriate language in the classroom or workplace. Physical contact which is inappropriate in any mentor pupil professional relationship and with special consideration of the age and sex of the student. Any comments or actions that might be considered to constitute sexual harassment in the workplace. ~ 14 ~

15 STEM Talent Developer Workplace Experience Verification Name of STEM Scholar: School District: Name of Business or Agency: Phone Number: Professional E mail Address for Primary Contact: (Printed Neatly) Signature of STEM Workplace Experience Provider: Date: Place check(s) below to indicate the kind of STEM Talent Development experience(s) the business/agency provided for the student named above and the amount of time it involved. STEM Talent Development Experience Date(s) Total Hours STEM Career Shadowing College or Career Coaching Internship Tour for Student or Group of Students Student Advocacy Other (please describe) On behalf of all who are involved with the FloridaLearns STEM Scholars project, we can t thank you enough for demonstrating your commitment to Florida s future economy by helping ensure there are capable students who are ready and willing to enter Florida s STEM talent pipeline. Please fax the completed form to the attention of Janice Del Sesto at ~ 15 ~

16 STEM Talent Developer Workplace Experience Evaluation FloridaLearns STEM Scholars Project personnel need your feedback on the success of the STEM Talent Development Experience for Students. Please complete this evaluation form and fax to or you may scan and send to Student Name Business Name and Talent Developer Name School District/School Please circle your response for each item listed below. If you feel you are unable to make an accurate judgment based on the experience, please circle NA. Poor Fair Good Very Good Excellent 1. The student s punctuality NA The student s cooperativeness NA The student s enthusiasm NA The student s respectfulness NA The student s inquisitiveness NA The student s interest in the career field NA The student s aptitude for work in this field NA The student s ability to explain or discuss the work experience NA The student s appropriateness of dress and manners NA The student s ability to relate other experiences NA Your experience with the FloridaLearns STEM Scholars Talent Development Initiative NA Your business willingness to continue participation NA Your opinion of the FloridaLearns STEM Scholars Project s benefit to gifted and talented high school students from rural school districts NA Please fax the completed form to the attention of Janice Del Sesto at ~ 16 ~

17 STEM Talent Development Experience Student Information and Forms Student Workplace Instructions Student Participation Criteria and Guidelines Student Workplace Request and Agreement Student Review Verification Form Student Reporting Form Sample Thank You Letter The STEM Talent Workplace Experience is designed to help students better understand the nature and demands of different STEM related careers as well as offer important opportunities to connect and network with potential employers. Student participants in the program and their parents must read and sign the Workplace Request and Agreement form on pages It must also be signed by the student s principal and be notarized. Students are also required to read the entire STEM Talent Development and Workplace Experience Guide. On page 23, please sign the form indicating that you have done so. Following the STEM Talent Development and Workplace experience, students must submit a Student Reporting Form. The form is located on page 24. It is important to write a Thank You letter to your host. A sample letter can be found on page 25. All forms can be returned by fax to These forms may also be completed, scanned, and returned by to STEM@heartlanded.org. For your convenience, forms which may be printed are located on our website. ~ 17 ~

18 STEM Talent Development Experience Student Workplace Instructions Instructions 1. Please review the list of workplaces/agencies in your community that have agreed to become STEM Talent Developers. As workplaces/agencies are added, we will update the list and send it to your STEM Mentor Teacher. The type of STEM Talent Development experience each workplace/agency is willing to provide is listed. 2. If you are interested in one of these experiences: a. Complete the STEM Talent Development Workplace Experience Request and Agreement and Student Review Verification forms. b. Make certain your parents/guardians/caregivers sign and have the Request and Agreement form notarized. c. Ask your principal to review and sign the Request and Agreement form. d. Return the forms to your STEM Mentor Teacher. This individual will ensure the form is returned to project personnel at HEC. 3. FloridaLearns STEM Scholars project personnel will then contact the business or agency to let them know you will be contacting them to arrange the experience and will also notify you by e mail as well as notify your STEM Mentor Teacher. The STEM Mentor teacher will print the verification e mail from project personnel and ensure the student receives a copy of the message. 4. Once you receive the notification the business has been contacted, you will be responsible for contacting the business to discuss details and to set up the experience. 5. At the end of the experience, please ask the workplace/agency representative with whom you ve been in contact to sign your copy of the STEM Talent Development Experience Student Reporting Form. 6. Give the completed form to the STEM Mentor Teacher or STEM Counselor to place into your STEM Scholars portfolio which is housed at your school. 7. Send a thank you letter to the contact at the business/agency that hosted your Talent Development Experience. A sample is included in this guide. 8. The business/agency will also have a form that should be completed and faxed to the consortium when you complete the experience. Please remind them to complete this form. ~ 18 ~

19 STEM Talent Development Experience Student Workplace Instructions Questions and Answers Q: Why do my parents/guardians/caregivers need to notarize the form? A: It is very important for your parents/guardians/caregivers to know about and approve of this workplace experience and that is our only means of verifying their knowledge and approval. Q: Why is it necessary for project personnel to contact the business or agency? A: We are promising the businesses/agencies that the students who will contact them are not younger than an 11 th grader and are the gifted and talented students participating in the FloridaLearns STEM Scholars project. This is our means of verifying that for them. Q: Why do I need to complete a workplace experience report although the workplace provider is also expected to fax a form? A: We recognize the business/agency personnel are very busy and if for some reason they fail to fax their form, you will have a record of the experience. It is also important for you to have a record in your portfolio to remind you (and those who will write recommendation letters for you) of what you ve accomplished. You will need this information when you completing college and scholarship applications. Q: What should I do if I submit the request form to my STEM Mentor Teacher or STEM Counselor and I haven t heard from project personnel? (please allow two weeks) A: Please contact us by e mail at STEM@heartlanded.org. We will happily follow up on your behalf and be back in touch with you! Q: Is there a limit on the amount of STEM Talent Development experiences I can take part in and who at my school will determine whether the absences are excused or not? A: There isn t a limit. Remember, shadowing, career coaching, etc. may take place after school or in the summer. For experiences that will take you out of school, your principal is the final authority in terms of approval. It is important to ensure any absences for STEM Talent Development experiences are approved and will be excused by your principal in advance of the experience. As you make arrangements for the experience you must also consider you class work and test schedules. It is unacceptable to plan the experiences on days for which major tests in your classes are scheduled or at the time of any statewide testing in which you will be involved. Q: What should I do if I have specific questions about the STEM Talent Development process? A: You may ask your STEM Counselor, STEM Mentor Teacher, or contact project personnel by e mail at STEM@heartlanded.org. We want you to be well informed! ~ 19 ~

20 STEM Talent Development Experience Student Participation Criteria and Guidelines One of the most challenging aspects of the FloridaLearns STEM Scholars Project may be ensuring the impressions you create, as you interact with our STEM Talent Development Partners, are extremely positive. These partnerships were developed to give STEM Scholars the chance for real world interactions with STEMrelated employers. Whether your experience involves job shadowing, job coaching, a tour, or internship experience, you are expected to adhere to workplace etiquette and guidelines to ensure the experience is beneficial for you and the STEM talent developer. Punctuality: Tardiness is a sign of disinterest in the work and disrespect for those who are taking time to provide the experience. Promptness signals eagerness, responsibility, and respect. It is a good idea to always be at least five minutes early. Attendance: Our STEM Talent Development partners are busy and have agreed to share a certain amount of time to help you with your education and career. If an appointment is cancelled, it should be for a good reason such as illness or a family emergency. Call immediately and speak directly with the person who will be responsible for the visit such as a supervisor, explain the situation, and apologize for inconvenience that may be caused. Do not simply leave a message with the receptionist. Confidentiality: Some of the workplace experiences may expose you to confidential aspects of a business. Make it your rule to never discuss information pertaining to the business aspects of the workplace with others. Attire: Adhere to the dress code of the company or business being visited. In almost every case, shorts, tee shirts, tank tops, open toed shoes, torn jeans, or other casual attire may be inappropriate. A good rule of thumb is to be clean, neat, and model the attire after that of the supervisor and other employees in the workplace. If you are in doubt about the appropriate dress, ask when you contact the business/agency to set up the workplace experience. Remember, you will be representing your school, the FloridaLearns STEM Scholars Program, and the business/agency that is providing the experience. Conduct: At all times, students should behave in a professional, mature, and responsible manner. Inappropriate language or comments and using a cell phone for texting or talking to friends or family should be avoided at all times. Pay attention and listen to learn. First Impression: A firm handshake and eye contact will go a long way to creating a good impression. As those in the workplace are introduced, be friendly and smile. The first impression is often the one upon which someone s opinion of you is based. Follow Up: After you have completed participation with the STEM Talent Development Partner, it is very important to write a thank you letter to the mentor or host. This not only shows politeness and appreciation for the time you ve been given; it is an excellent skill to develop for future use. Adapted from: Building a Foundation for School to Work, from the Communities in Schools Job Care Network. ~ 20 ~

21 STEM Talent Development Experience Student Workplace Request and Agreement Please complete this form, have it notarized, and return it to your STEM Mentor Teacher. A copy of this form will be sent to each business for which an experience is requested. Student Name Grade Age Mailing Address Address Home Phone District Emergency Contact Name School Emergency Contact Phone STEM High School Courses (Completed or Currently Enrolled) Name of Business Business Requests Type of Workplace Experience AGREEMENT OF THE PARTIES I. STUDENT S AGREEMENT: 1) I will attend my placement for the full talent development period. I will ensure that both the school and the person or organization providing the placement will be notified if I am unable to attend the workplace. My dress and behavior will be in keeping with the accepted standards of my work experience provider and understand that this may include participation in random drug and alcohol testing as per any workplace health and safety requirements in particular industries. I will promptly tell my supervisor of any personal injury or damage to property which may involve me. I will comply with all work rules, policies and procedures and will at all times act in accordance with the instructions of my supervisor. I agree to conduct myself in a professional manner and acknowledge that I am responsible for my own actions during the course of the development program and understand that any party to this agreement may terminate my participation at any time. 2) I understand that my participation in the talent development experience program is completely voluntarily and is an opportunity offered for the benefit of a learning experience and not employment; therefore, I understand that participation does not provide monetary compensation or benefits such as worker s compensation and health insurance coverage through the school or sponsoring business. I further understand that it is my responsibility to provide all transportation needed to fulfill participation in the program and that program activities could involve certain risks such as those related to travel, the operation of machinery, or other risks, and I accept those risks and assume full responsibility for any associated injury, property losses or accidents. In consideration of the opportunity afforded me and with full knowledge and appreciation of the risks involved, I hereby agree to indemnify, release and hold harmless Heartland Educational Consortium, my school district, my school, and the Talent Development Experience Provider, as well as their officers, members, agents, faculty, employees, and insurers, from all forms and manner of risks inherent to the work experience position and from ~ 21 ~

22 STEM Talent Development Experience Student Workplace Request and Agreement all claims and demands of any nature arising from my participation in the talent development program and related travel, except that this release shall not include a release of any claim occasioned by negligence or intentional torts of a party to this agreement. I HAVE READ THE ABOVE AND UNDERSTAND THAT IT CONTAINS A RELEASE Student Name (Printed) Student Signature Date II. PARENT/GUARDIAN/ CAREGIVER S CONSENT (Applicable to students under 18 years of age): 1) I am the Parent/Guardian/Caregiver of the above named student and consent to my child participating in the work experience stated above. I understand that my child s participation in the talent development program is completely voluntarily and is an opportunity offered for the benefit of a learning experience and not employment; therefore, I understand that my child s participation does not provide monetary compensation or benefits such as workers compensation and health insurance coverage through the school or sponsoring business. I further understand that it is my responsibility to provide all transportation needed to fulfill participation in the program and that program activities could involve certain risks such as those related to travel, the operation of machinery, or other risks, and I accept those risks and assume full responsibility for any associated injury, property losses, or accidents. In consideration of the opportunity afforded my child, with full knowledge and appreciation of the risks involved, I hereby agree to indemnify, release and hold harmless Heartland Educational Consortium, my child s school district, school, and the Talent Development Experience Provider, as well as their officers, members, agents, faculty, employees, and insurers, from all form and manner of risks inherent to the work experience position and from all claims and demands of any nature arising from my child s participation in the work experience program and related travel, except that this release shall not include a release of any claim occasioned by negligence or intentional torts of a party to this Agreement. I HAVE READ THE ABOVE AND UNDERSTAND THAT IT CONTAINS A RELEASE Parent/Guardian Name (Printed) Parent/Guardian Signature Date III. NOTARY AFFIRMATION OF PARENT/GUARDIAN/CAREGIVER SIGNATURE Signed and sworn (or affirmed) before me on by (Date) (Name of person making statement) (Signature of Notary Public) State of Florida County of (Commission # / Expiration Date or Stamp) Notary Seal IV. PRINCIPAL S AGREEMENT: 1) I have reviewed the student s request and agreement and enter into this arrangement for the named student to be placed for the purpose of a STEM Talent Development experience with the above named work experience provider/s under the terms stated herein. Principal s Name (Printed) Principal s Signature Date District School Name ~ 22 ~