Web-based Resources Created For (and By) Youth!

Sarita PillaiEducation Development Center, Inc.

STEM Career Exploration for Middle School

INTRODUCTION:Education Development Center, Inc.Portfolio of youth media and technology

projectsNational Science Foundation fundingLearner-centered – youth as co-designersThe FunWorks (thefunworks.org)Girls Communicating Career Connections

(gc3.edc.org)Middle School Portal 2: Math and Science

Pathways (msteacher2.org)

OUR PROCESS:National focus groups and surveysYouth co-design teams

Middle school aged youth and staffDesign team curriculumCareer research, field trips, interviewsWeb design, disseminationVideo scripting, post-production

Pilot tests and evaluation

OUR GOALS:Generate awareness of STEM career possibilities

and dispel stereotypes about these careersHighlight commonly-known/entry-point careers

along with other/more advanced STEM careersEmphasize the importance of 21st century skill

development in career and life successDemonstrate the positive social impact of

scientific careersInspire youth to take action now in realizing a

future career, and enable educators to help them get there

WHAT IS THE FUNWORKS?Organized around youth interest areasMore than 60 STEM careers

What does it mean to be X?Online and other activitiesProfiles of professionalsNext steps – where to go from here

Educator sectionActivities/lesson plans, career counseling

guides, other mediaWebsite: http://www.thefunworks.org

Cosmetics ChemistSound EngineerCivil EngineerCultural

AnthropologistGraphic DesignerForensic ScientistMarine

Biologist/AquaristAgricultural and Food

ScientistAtmospheric Scientist

Biomedical EngineerCivil EngineerComputational

ScientistGame DesignerGeoscientistPlasma PhysicistRobotics EngineerStatistician Toxicologist…and many more!

WHAT IS GC3?Organized around youth interest areas7 girl-produced career videos

Related career information (18 careers in total)

Companion educator materials Educators/facilitators guideVideo production curriculum

Website: http://gc3.edc.org

Thank you!

The FunWorks – http://thefunworks.orgGC3 – http://gc3.edc.org

Sarita PillaiEDC, Inc.

spillai@edc.org