velocity prep | making the stem industry connection
DESCRIPTION
Velocity Prep engages high school students to form consulting companies and complete 160 hours of work in a STEM field with the support of college mentors. During the program, delivered as a 4-week PAID summer internship or as a semester-long capstone for academic credit, students address real-world problems for a client, launch and manage a company, meet with STEM employers, work in teams, and present deliverables in a conference room setting. Velocity Prep was created in 2001 in direct response to industry and education leaders’ desire to see high school students gain relevant work experience and exposure to high-demand STEM careers available in Central Texas. Now, we are seeking to scale in the region and across Texas.TRANSCRIPT
Making the Industry Connection with STEM Internships
Skillpoint Alliance 2012
Agency Overview• Skillpoint Alliance• STEM Council • Engagement Strategy
STEM Internship Programs• Velocity Prep• Velocity Cap(stone)
Velocity Prep Overview• ROBOTech• GREENTech• GAMEOn!
Recruitment StrategyEducational StrategyFunding
• Workforce development non-profit founded in 1994• Build partnerships with industry, education, and the community• We focus on college and career success, delivering programs in:
• Construction Technologies• Green Tech• Computer Training• Digital Media• Science, Technology, Engineering & Math• Health Care• Office Administration
Mission:Build partnerships that lead to college and career success for Central Texans
while meeting employers' workforce needs
We focus on: • Project-based STEM Education in Central Texas (K-16)• Connecting classroom learning to industry applications• Sharing best practices from industry & education• Getting kids on a STEM career path
A consortium of high tech industry executives and education leaders engaged in addressing workforce and education issues.
IncubateIncubateIncubate innovative and needed programs that provide Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) college and career awareness.
PilotPilotPilot program models through partnership between industry, education, and community organizations.
IntegrateIntegrateIntegrate successful program models into schools and structures aiding program scale.
Game On!
Program Description• 20 high school students form a consulting company and get paid for 160 hours of
work in a STEM field.• Clients receive 3,200 hours of intern work on a STEM project• Change the STEM career trajectory of math & science “bubble” students in low-
income communities
Program Description• 20 HS students form a consulting company and get credit for 160 hours of
work in a STEM field.• Clients receive 3,200 hours of intern work• Students meet T-STEM internship requirement & earn 4th Year Science Credit• Developing Tech Prep articulation with Austin Community College
Time Commitment• Velocity Prep
– 4-week summer program – 4 or 5 days a week | 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM
• Velocity Cap– Semester-long project– 3 or 4 days per week | 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
How it Works• Teams of 20 students form a consulting company;• Work with an actual client; • Create an innovative solution to a real-world problem;• Present your designs & solutions to your client; • Meet high-tech employers in the region; • Get paid or credit for 160 of STEM career experience!
Week #1:• Meet your client and better understand the problem• Brainstorm on innovative solutions • Create a timeline for discovery, design, & presentation
Week #2:• Explore design concepts in teams• Gather deeper knowledge about your focus area• Meet professionals working in this field
Week #3:• Create a working model of your solution• Imagine potential uses and improvements
Week #4:• Present your designs and findings to your client
Client: • UT Mechanical Engineering Department
Project Description:• Envision and design a “Search & Rescue” robot• Use LabVIEW and Tetrix to create a prototype
Client: • Texas Engineering Experiment Station (TEES)
Project Description:• Create a working solar station for use at a festival• Envision and design a solar solution to integrate into
the existing micro-grid project in the Texas colonias
Client: • Advanced Micro Devices (AMD)
Project Description:• Design and develop five (5) web-based, STEM games• Highlight green-building features of AMD’s Lone Star
Campus
“Changing the Conversation: Messages for Improving Public Understanding of Engineering”
• National Academy Of Engineering (NAE) Report
Messaging Recommendations• Use images of people, not things: especially avoid using gears and
mechanical looking things• Use the following five words in describing engineering: discovery, design,
imagination, innovation, contribution• Describe engineer as creative problem solvers, essential to health,
happiness and safety• Emphasize that engineers shape the future
“Grand Challenges for Engineering in the 21st Century” • National Academy Of Engineering (NAE)
• Images from Central Texas Discover Engineering
ROBOTech Velocity Prep:“Saving Lives by Design”May 31 – June 30, 2011
What Will You Design?
Imagine an innovative solution for…
EARTHQUAKES?
Imagine an innovative solution for…
FLOODS?
Imagine an innovative solution for…
FIRES?
Imagine an innovative solution for…
OIL SPILLS?
These designs could save lives
How will your designs shape the future?
Why should I be interested? Be a creative problem-solver
Work with industry professionals & mentors
Make a difference with your innovative design
Visit high-tech companies and schools
Put an exciting experience on your resume
Get paid (or earn credit) for your work!
It’s fun
How can I apply?
1. Fill out an application
2. Submit the application to Ms. Westbrook by MONDAY, May 2!
3. We will contact you shortly after
Lonny SternROBOTech Velocity Prep
[email protected] ext 103
Questions?
Student Driven• Project propels inquiry-based learning• Students develop all project deliverables• Led by College Student mentors
Team-Oriented• Participants form companies to tackle the problem• Student specialists share knowledge with team members• 360-review process to determine bonuses
Industry Connection• Work directly with a client on a real STEM project• Use industry-standard technology & tools• Focus projects on careers available in the region• Meet with regional employers as part of research
Social Impact• Projects focus on “Grand Challenges” of Engineering• Students propose innovative solutions to
real-world problems
Guest Speakers Enhance Project-Based Learning• Serve as primary client and mentor• Provide advice and direction for project proposals• Provide professional development seminars• Share background knowledge or research• Demonstrate the use of industry technology & tools
Site Visits Provide the Industry Connection• Industry experts provide advice on potential solutions or products
Companies provide a tour of their facility• Participants learn about career options in the region• Students see a professional workplace• Students learn about skills and certification needed to get there
Velocity Prep• $32,000• $1,600/participant
Velocity Cap• $15,000• $750/participant
Description Budget
STAFFING Velocity Prep Program ManagementSkillpoint salaries/benefits
$7,230
College Student Mentors (2)$3,000 | stipend
$3,000
Student stipends (20 @ 160 hours)$16,000 |(20) $800 stipends ($5.00/hr) $1,000 | bonuses
$17,000
SUPPLIES & EQUIPMENT
Solar Charging Station Kit ($883.50/kit)$80 ea. | Universal Battery AGM$230 ea. | Solar PV Module 40 Watt$160 ea. | Morningstar Charge Controller w/ LCD Meter$44 ea. | Breakers 15 amp (4 x $11)$5.50 ea. | DIN Rail, 35mm x 7.5mm, Custom Cut, 4.25in$50 ea. | Red wire and Black wire$30 ea. | wire glands 3 $44 ea. | Car Inverter Portable Power Laptop AC Adapter Converter$100 ea. | Enclosures$100 ea. | Metal frame$40 ea. | Hardware
$2,650
Building Materials$50 | Volt meter$150 | Classroom electrical tools$200 | Power drill$150 | Radio Flyer All-Terrain Steel & Wood Wagon$40 | label maker
$590
PROGRAM DELIVERY
TransportationFour industry site visits @ $250/visit
$1,000
TOTAL $31,470
• $5,000 | School • $5,000 | Client • $10,000 | Private Sector Sponsors / Chamber of Commerce • $10,000 | Grants (1/3)
