I wanted to share the following resource from the MHTA. I suspect there are some regular readers who could volunteer science skills and some who could use volunteers in their classrooms. I love the idea of getting folks from the field into the classroom – what better way to get the students some real world experience and for industry to get a peek at what future graduates are learning. It’s kind of fun just to see what people are requesting and offering…

getSTEM is a web portal designed to connect Minnesota educators with science and technology businesses, in order to better prepare students for post-secondary education programs and careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). getSTEM is a partnership between the Minnesota High Tech Association (MHTA) and the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) along with sponsoring businesses including: Ecolab,3M, Avtex, and Thomson Reuters.

The getSTEM website is designed as a two-way street. Teachers may use the getSTEM website to create postings to ASK for community assistance in having materials donated to their classroom, guest presentations, volunteers for field trips and much more. “I had used the getSTEM website to find speakers and field trips for our students, but had never posted an “Ask” until I was looking for additional Science Fair judges. Within just a few days I was so excited to be contacted by multiple people offering to be judges! What a fabulous resource-easy to use and gets immediate results!” says Jill Wall, a Program Manager for Farnsworth Aerospace PK-8 Magnet School and Johnson High School.

Local businesses and professionals may use the website to OFFER their K-12 outreach programs and speakers that teachers may incorporate into their classroom. Kari Tage from an educational technology company said, “We’ve received some attention and inquiries (from offerings on the site.) This is a great site and a wonderful way to communicate with schools about offers and opportunities.”