Communications of the ACM
Program Empowers Educators to Prep Students for STEM Careers
Arkansas teachers prepare their presentations for the Arkansas STRIVE program at UA Little Rock.
Credit: Ben Krain / University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Debra Rail, a chemistry and physics teacher at Vilonia High School in Arkansas, recently spent 18 days exploring the intricate workings of kitchen design, architecture, plumbing, electrical engineering, and more.
Rail was among 26 teachers who participated in STRIVE, a paid professional development program for Arkansas middle and high school STEM teachers. The program's goal is to inform teachers so they can better prepare students for success in jobs that require STEM skills taught in the classroom.
During STRIVE, teachers are immersed in local businesses and industries for part of the summer to experience how the skills they teach in the classroom relate to the real world. Teachers receive training and support in how to incorporate the experiences into their classrooms, promoting approaches such as science inquiry and problem-based learning.
"I am committed to teaching [students] the skills they need in any future workforce and I'm excited to invite any community partners to my classroom so we can interact more with our community," said Moriah Santiago, a 6th grade science teacher at J.O. Kelly Middle School in Springdale.
From University of Arkansas at Little Rock
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