“TRI-IT” You Might Just Like IT!

At first glance careers/educational pathways in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), and information technology (IT) may not appear as a “go to” destination for women. According to a study conducted by the National Science Foundation in 2010, the number of people engaged in Science and Engineering-related professions has grown from 182,000 in 1950, to 5.5 million in 2007. Despite imminent projections for sustained growth in the S&E workforce, women still remain underrepresented. In that “fewer than 33% of students in computer courses are female, and women comprise only 20% of IT professionals and 13% of engineers.”(Source: National Science Foundation). Given this gender disparity, there has been a nationwide push to encourage women/girls to engage girls in information technology and STEM.

The Tri-Regional Information Technology (Tri-IT) grant program, funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), is one such project targeted to increase the number of girls and women in IT and STEM. Tri-IT represents a cohesive partnership between three Florida colleges: Florida State College in Jacksonville (FSCJ), Seminole State College, and Florida A&M University, works with twelve high schools in Duval, Seminole and Leon counties in Florida, and is supported by a $1.5 million, 3-year Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST) strategies grant. Through partnerships with local schools, the colleges provide after-school and summer programs in animation, digital media, web design, green living, robotics, CSI forensics, electronics, design and manufacturing, career development, health and wellness, podcasting, mobile devices and GIS/GPS, to 9th and 11th grade high school girls.

Dr. Linda Austin, program manager for Tri-IT at FSCJ states the goals of the program are to increase girls interest, skills and confidence in IT and STEM, so they pursue high school courses, college programs and careers in IT and STEM disciplines. Through engagement in interactive technology experiences, the program cultivates interest, skills and confidence in information technology and STEM-based college programs and careers. Furthermore, the “Girls Only” concept affords a supportive/collaborative learning environment. It fosters active engagement with teachers, project coordinators, fellow students, and encourages students to explore leadership opportunities, as well as a hands-on experience in IT, mathematics, and science. During the summer, all three regional sites have videoconferences to showcase student projects compiled during a week-long summer academy. Participants submit articles for the quarterly Tri-IT newsletter, projects for the website, and attend STEM day and TECH fest activities held at respective partner colleges.

Curriculum design for the project incorporates the four levels of James E. Banks’ Model of Multicultural Integration that bares close focus on diverse ethnic and cultural group perspectives. Curriculum also incorporates modules from other NSF-funded projects such as Enhancing Science and Technology Education and Exploration Mentoring, the TechBridge projects. In terms of its connection with FLATE, both share a common focus on STEM-based careers and educational pathways. Tri-IT has also adapted material from FL-ATE’s “Design a Luxury Coach” activity. Through this exercise, students learned about the six steps of the manufacturing process and applied them to design a model of a luxury coach. They were also able to visualize manufacturing through the videos and field trips of manufacturers in their local regions, and gained a better understanding of design and manufacturing processes, lean manufacturing, and how to work effectively in a team environment.

Indeed, the program has been highly successful. As of December 2010, two hundred and ninety eight students have been recruited into the program of which 236 are currently active. In 2010, the Tri-IT grant program received the Florida Association of Community Colleges (FACC) Equity Commission Exemplary Practice Award for outreach and access programs. Its lesson plans have also served as a valuable teaching tool in planning high school technology, and after-school and summer programs.

For more information on Tri-IT or the ITEST grants contact Dr. Linda Austin at laustin@fscj.edu /904.256.6981, or visit http://www.t3girls.com/. For information on FLATE’s virtual tours and industry based educational challenges visit www.madeinflorida.org/industry-based-educational-challenges, or contact Dr. Marilyn Barger at barger@fl-ate.org.

2011 FLATE Award Nominee Announcement

YOU can do it!  Make your colleagues a winner - nominate someone for a FLATE award!

Submit your nominations at: http://www.fl-ate.org/projects/awards/index.html

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FLATE's Executive Director Celebrates "sTEm At Work"

Putting a practical spin on sTEm is important to FLATE. The low energy approach to this renewed national interest in STEM is to leave each of the four components in its traditional environment, and then isolate the funding, effort, and signs of success to each separate silo. FLATE's view is that science and mathematics must be blended to support the engineering needed to create and then maintain a technology. With this as a guiding thought, FLATE participated in and supported two important annual University of South Florida events in February that celebrated this integrated effort to make sTEm really work. Both activities encouraged students of all ages to get excited about STEM “stuff”, and put it, or see how it has been put to work. In both events, invention, engineering, and enterprise were stars in a sky of technology, and each hosted record participation in 2011. The final competition of the Young Inventors Cup took place on Feb. 11 (ironically Thomas Edison’s birthday), and the 39th USF College of Engineering at USF Engineering Expo took place Feb. 18 –19.

The Young Innovator Competition, sponsored by USF and Innovation Express, a not-for-profit organization, drew nearly 500 submissions spread between three levels of competition. Students from elementary through high school competed for this year's Inventor’s Cup. The five finalists from each division actually made a prototype of their invention. In addition, finalists gave during the last stage judging which is also open

 to the public, a two minute presentation to promote their idea to a panel of distinguished judges that included media celebrities and business leaders. Each division winner and their school received a $1000 prize. Competition rules were designed with the teacher in mind. FLATE crafted a workshop for teachers to help them get started, and showed how easy it is for teachers to bring this activity into their classroom as an integration piece for science and math lessons. Submitting ideas online was easy. However, an invention did not get very far through the multiple layer judging process if it was not unique. Inventors were required to submit design and manufacturing details, business plans, cost of the new invention and its expected selling price. The overall competition was targeted to blend inquiry, exploration, critical, and systems thinking with the appropriate age level knowledge in science and math to support the engineering needed to create the invention from the applicable technology. You can learn more about the 2011 competition and winners, and how to participate in 2012 at www.innovationexpress.org. Kudos to the Hopens, father and daughter, as competition founders for making this competition a reality in Tampa Bay.

On a similar token, the 2011 USF Engineering Expo drew a huge record crowd, nearly 18,000 students and parents from all over the Tampa Bay region. This free, student-run event featured displays by engineering companies, STEM programs at local schools including Pinellas County’s D.L. Jamerson Elementary School's Center for Mathematics and Engineering, and Hillsborough County’s middle school STEM institutes and high school academies. The expo featured a variety of “shows” ranging from laser lights to science “magic,” as well as STEM and engineering activities for students of all ages (hosted by the many engineering student organizations). The indoor/outdoor event had a county fair ambiance, and provided lots of space for children to explore, and have fun as well as visit various engineering college laboratories. Students could compete in drag races, ride a TECO cherry picker, and explore both the manmade and engineering wonders of our world, it was very easy for them to talk to technicians, engineers, and scientists to see why things work and how these people make things work as well.

If you are going to be in Tampa next February, make sure your plans include attending or getting involved with one, or both of these events. However, to borrow a famous phrase, "but now for something completely different,” it is time for you to catch up with FLATE news. You can try our latest sTEm puzzle, take advantage of a “FREE” faculty development seminar for STEM educators offered by City University of New York, read about the fascinating Florida Manufacturer or the Year Awardees, their products and production processes, and about a state-of-the-art mobile laboratory at Florida Gateway College. I hope you enjoy this edition of the FLATE Focus.

Manufacturing Advertorials: Roadmap for Lucrative Career Pathways

2010-11 Advertorial

The “Made in Florida” manufacturing advertorials in Florida Trend’s NEXT magazine have been an effective vehicle in reaching thousands of high school students throughout Florida. The advertorials promote positive awareness of manufacturing careers and education, and serve as an educational roadmap for students interested in manufacturing as a viable and lucrative career pathway. Dr. Marilyn Barger, executive director of FLATE and a strong voice for manufacturers throughout Florida, says painting a positive picture is only one piece of the awareness and recruitment puzzle. Barger believes parents and the entire community must be made aware of the challenging, state-of-the-art, high-wage, high-skill careers that the manufacturing industry provides.

To assist in this double-edged effort, FLATE partnered with the Manufacturers Association of Florida to expand the "Made in Florida" brand into a coordinated statewide awareness campaign. The initiative encompasses the Made in Florida DVD and online video, live and virtual industry tours, career pathways, Facebook and YouTube content, student interviews, and web-based resources on the Made in Florida webpage at www.madeinflorida.org.



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2011 marks the sixth year FLATE has placed content in NEXT, the career guidance edition of Florida Trend. Since publication of the first manufacturing advertorial in 2006, FLATE has collected data indicating a significant increase in the number of schools that have received lists of potential enrollees from FLATE. Between 2009-10, 60% of the responders filled out the paper reader response cards while 1,132 responders (40%) requested information online via the NEXT website at www.FloridaNEXT.com. Over half of both male and female high school students responding to this same edition of the advertorial requested community/state college information in addition to career materials. Demographic results also suggest a significant interest by female high school students; 72% of female responders expressed an interest in careers and education in advanced manufacturing. Forty five colleges and technical schools in Florida currently receive monthly lists of prospective student leads in their service areas for follow up. (You can view current and past advertorials at www.fl-ate.org/projects/fl-trend.html.)


The NEXT campaign has received more than 20,000 inquiries from Florida students. Join FLATE and MAF and help students learn how to pursue an education and career in advanced manufacturing. The April 1st deadline is right around the corner for our next group of visionary sponsors. Sponsorships are available at multiple levels that allow organizations/individuals to receive recognition for their support. Just visit 2011 NEXT Sponsors page at www.fl-ate.org/projects/fl-trend.html, and follow the instructions on the sidebar, or contact Dr. Marilyn Barger at 813.259.6578/barger@fl-ate.org.

You have the ability to make a difference. Your sponsorship will help affect positive changes in manufacturing awareness and education for Florida’s current and prospective students. We look forward to working with you!