| Description: | WEGO STEM is a collaborative effort between the division heads for CTE, Mathematics, Science, and Student Services at West Chicago Community High School (affectionately known as WEGO.) In 2016, we began an effort to systematically gather students' interests in STEM careers in order to build a varied menu of experiences outside of the classroom to provide exposure to careers though WEGO STEM Lunch and Learns with STEM professionals and workers, STEM events, scholarship opportunities, clubs, internships, mentorship programs, summer camps, and conversations about course offerings. Our efforts were driven by the needs of our students, many of whom have little exposure to such opportunities or information. Prior to WEGO STEM, most information about student opportunities was shared strictly through student announcements and most of it fell on deaf ears. Since our program began, we have had a diverse group of students who participate in a multitude of STEM experiences. Come learn more about how we gather and organize our data, directly share SPECIFICALLY TARGETED information, and provide a variety of experiences including:
*STEM Lunch and Learns: 20 minute informal chats during lunch periods with a STEM guest speaker including nurses, plumbers, dieticians, welders, engineers, a forensic accountant for FBI, urban arborists, the former CEO of Edward Hospital, doctors, veterinary technicians, dental hygienists, and architects
*Field trips to workplaces
*Participation in STEM Clubs like HOSA, Engineering Club, Club Green, Horticulture Club, Math Team
*Internships at places such as Fermilab
*Summer programming
*Events like COD's Women in STEM *Summer employment in STEM workplaces *Discussion on course selections and "field trips" to see our manufacturing lab or greenhouse.
You will leave with ideas to expand students' STEM experiences plus a copy of the STEM Pathways Google Form/Google Sheet, the backbones of our program. |
