Creating a STEM Path Which Originates at the PreK-12 Level

Summary: The Blue Work Force action steps currently outlined in the Opportunities & Actions for Ocean Science & Technology document focus on a college approach to diversifying the workforce. Quite often, the PreK-12 education framework is left out of the discussion - a framework that plays a vital part in helping to build STEM career pathways in students. To help strengthen this approach, the Ocean Literacy Principles MUST be incorporated into the classroom, and the Next Generation Science Standards used in most classrooms across the country MUST include an Oceans component. To date, Earth and Space Science is given their own set of standards, which are incorporated into teacher lessons within classrooms. Including ocean literacy as part of the standards and raising the expectation would help to define the science classroom, covering all core content including physical science, biology, chemistry, earth, space, and OCEAN science. This idea would lead to a more diverse and inclusive Blue Workforce as students at a younger age will have been exposed to ALL aspects the true science spectrum.

Sector: Academia
Organization: Coventry High School
POC: Tiffany Risch, trisch32@gmail.com