STEM Academy: Promoting Next Generation of Workforce

Leticia L. BarajasVice President, Academic Affairs & Workforce DevelopmentLos Angeles Trade-Technical College

LATTC – Setting the Context for Program Need• One of nine in Los Angeles Community College District• College focus on technical training 86+ yrs• ~70% programs are Career & Technical Ed and 30% Transfer (Fashion

Design, Construction/Utilities, Transportation, Culinary, etc.)• 17,000+ students enroll each semester• Lack of college-going culture • Ranked #1 on the Educational Needs Index :– Over 50% adults in service area lack HS diploma/GED– 35.0% have less than a 9th grade education– Only 35% enrolled in post-secondary education

400 W. Washington Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90015 http://college.lattc.edu/wed/presentations

STEM Summer Academy GoalsDevelop a pipeline of local high schoolstudents (youth) interested in careers related to

Science, Technology, Engineering and Math • Increase awareness of careers in STEM• Increase math and science knowledge and skills• Provide early start to earn college credits • Increase youth awareness of sustainability

issues

400 W. Washington Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90015 http://college.lattc.edu/wed/presentations

STEM Academy Program

• Summer six-week college credit program • Serves over 200 students from local high

schools• Initial funding through HSI-STEM grant in

2008-09; offered each summer • S – Biology, Chemistry• T – Career Tech Programs including

Fashion Technology, Transportation, Welding

400 W. Washington Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90015 http://college.lattc.edu/wed/presentations

Key Component– CTE & “T” in STEM

• Intensive college faculty CTE/Science involvement - curriculum design with contextualized education resources

• Meaningful collaboration with industry, local high schools, and community based organizations

• Development of an integrated administrative support and outreach function -Bridges to Success Center for recruitment, wrap around services and employment assistance

400 W. Washington Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90015 http://college.lattc.edu/wed/presentations

STEM Projects Examples

• Construction Technology – Design concepts and engineering

Project: Build mini houses with utility conservation methods including solar panels and rain water collection and irrigation• Fashion Technologies – Design, development and

display of apparel using recyclable products and newly engineered fabrics

• Welding/Transportation – Development of solar-powered go-carts

Participating Programs

• Biology• Chemistry• Welding Technology• Architecture Technology• Transportation Technology• Construction Technology • Fashion Technology

400 W. Washington Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90015 http://college.lattc.edu/wed/presentations

Key STEM Successes

• Instructional consultation and curriculum collaboration among Science and CTE areas

• Increased visibility in STEM areas • Dispel perception that CTE is NOT STEM • Project-based multi-discipline approach• Increase college visibility among students

interested in applied science and technical areas

400 W. Washington Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90015 http://college.lattc.edu/wed/presentations

Results

• 72% increased math skills as measured by pre-test post-test analysis

• 80% demonstrated increased knowledge of STEM Careers based on a questionnaire

• Over half participants enrolled at LATTC following term

• Eliminated silos that existed CTE and Sciences/Academic

400 W. Washington Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90015 http://college.lattc.edu/wed/presentations

Impact and Evolution...College-wide Academies

The Trade Bridge Academy (TBA) is a college-wide initiative that incorporates student support and instructional strategies to improve overall student success

TBA is a commitment to continuously re-engineering and improving policies, procedures, and practices that are most critical for ensuring ALL Trade-Tech students complete their educational goals with expedience and excellence

400 W. Washington Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90015 http://college.lattc.edu/wed/presentations

Final Thoughts....STEM Academy evolved from program-specific “boutique” program to a college-wide approach and philosophy impacting enrollment management, student support services and professional development

400 W. Washington Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90015 http://college.lattc.edu/wed/presentations

Questions

Thank you ....Contact:

Leticia Barajas barajal@lattc.eduhttp://college.lattc.edu/wed/presentations

400 W. Washington Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90015 http://college.lattc.edu/wed/presentations