The STEAM Conference: An Event to Promote Youth to Explore STEAM-related Fields and Potential Careers

Abstract

In addition to my teaching responsibilities, I am involved in the outreach programs and activities of the department. I am the coordinator of three outreach programs 1) the NSF-ISE project "Scientists for Tomorrow" which goal is to promote Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) learning in community centers in the Chicago area, 2) the Junior Research Scientists program funded by After School Matters of the city of Chicago, to promote STEM for high school students and 3) a collaboration with the Center for College Access and Success-Northeastern University to promote STEM learning in their Upward Bound Math & Science program, also oriented for high school students. More information regarding the mentioned programs can be find at www.scientistsfortomorrow.org Ms. Evelyn Oropeza, Columbia College, Chicago Evelyn Oropeza serves as the Coordinator of Community Engagement programs at Columbia College Chicago. With more than 10 years of educational leadership experience, her workshop features insights and expertise in instructional strategies and implementation of Science,Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) programs. Evelyn has worked in developing curriculum, training, and providing professional development to diverse audiences in the education and out-of school time sectors. Through her work managing the Scientists for Tomorrow programs at Columbia College Chicago, and across partners, she has proven experience implementing programs for schools and community centers in Chicago and nationwide. Evelyn remains an active advocate for STEM education, and college & career readiness.

Description, Assessment, and Outcomes of Three Initial Interventions Within a National Science Foundation Research Traineeship (NRT): Onboarding Event, Career Exploration Symposium, and Multidisciplinary Introductory Course

“…Unsurprisingly, the literature on the topic of career exploration is as extensive as it is diffuse. This follows from the wide variance regarding the target population (e.g., K-12 [8][9][10], undergraduate [11][12][13], and graduate students [14,15]), the nature of the intervention (e.g., summer camps [9], courses [11][12][13]15], conferences [10], and professional development programs [14]), as well as the outcomes sought (e.g., work readiness and career self-efficacy [16,17], improved career motivation, adaptability, construction, and decision-making [9,11,13], as well as professional growth, development, and/or identity [10,12,14]). A recent review by Jiang et al provides an excellent and comprehensive review of the literature on career exploration and suggests a future research agenda [18].…”

“…A good way to address the challenge posed by time constraints is the design of the intervention as a one-day conference. Caplan et al have recently described "The STEAM Conference" a student-led event that helps youth to explore Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM)-related careers while simultaneously affording them an opportunity to acquire and develop oral communication, organization, presentation, and leadership skills [10]. The agenda of the conference is analogous to that of a professional conference and includes a keynote lecture to open the conference, two parallel breakout sessions, as well as a closing event.…”