Future Engineers
To raise awareness of the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) to children and families in the city of Camden and surrounding areas. We are going to develop and implement design and engineering activities with students to increase technological literacy to all who participate. Technological literacy enables people to develop knowledge and abilities about human innovation in action.
About You
About You
First Name
Stefani
Last Name
Kirk
About Your Organization
Organization Name
Future Engineers
Organization Website
Organization Phone
Organization Address
Organization Country
United States, NJ, Camden County
Country where this project is creating social impact
United States, NJ
Is your organization a
For‐profit
How long has your organization been operating?
Less than a year
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Innovation
Entry Form title
Future Engineers
What change do you want to bring to the world?
To raise awareness of the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) to children and families in the city of Camden and surrounding areas. We are going to develop and implement design and engineering activities with students to increase technological literacy to all who participate. Technological literacy enables people to develop knowledge and abilities about human innovation in action.
What are the primary activities of your project?
The activities can change pending upon the materials available and the students interest. All activities will involve discussions, brainstorming, sketching, designing, building, testing, evaluation, and re-designing. Most activities will discuss "going green" and incorporate some sort of recycling. Activities will be highly motivating and aligned with real world problems facing society today, and specifically focused on problem scenarios that students can relate to for their presence in their every day lives.
What is innovative about your initiative? How is it a new contribution to the field?
There is little to no exposure to Technology Education and Engineering in urban areas such as Camden, NJ. We believe there is a lack of existing hands on programs, lack of engagement in STEM content area and a lack of enriching activities to reinforce learning from the year. Studies show that girls and minorities need more programs like these because they are underrepresented in STEM higher education and careers. This would be a great program to bridge the gap of learning over the summer.
Although the activities might not necessarily be 'new' - this summer program is absolutely innovative and new to this area. There is a similar program running in Trenton, NJ at the Boys and Girls Club; it has proven to be extremely successful.
What stage is your project in?
Idea phase
Tell us about the community that you engage? eg. economic conditions, political structures, norms and values, demographic trends, history, and experience with engagement efforts.
The community that would benefit from this program is an urban area with a high crime rate. The students are considered "at risk".
Share the story of the founder and what inspired the founder to start this project
There are two people involved in the start up of this program. Stefani, a teacher in a suburban area, has always wanted to work with "at risk" students. After volunteering in different schools, she has decided that she wanted to start up a summer program that was similar to one a friend was running in Trenton. She reached out to Matthew and asked if he would like to be involved in starting up the program with her. Matthew, also a teacher, agreed and the two got started with a proposal. Finding funding for this program is essential for it to run.
Social Impact
This Entry is about (Issues)
Please describe how your project has been successful and how that success is measured
This project is in the start up phase. It is being modeled off of a very successful program at the Trenton Boys and Girls Club. This specific project will keep students off the streets during the day, allow them to learn in different manners, and engage in activities they have not experienced before.
How many people have been impacted by your project?
Fewer than 100
How many people could be impacted by your project in the next three years?
Fewer than 100
How will your project evolve over the next three years?
Over the next three years we hope to reach out to at least 25 students each summer. The overall end result is that students open their minds and continue not only a will to learn but a want to learn.
Sustainability
What barriers might hinder the success of your project and how do you plan to overcome them?
The project is in the beginning phase, the only barrier that will hinder the project is not having enough financial backing for a long running project. Once given the chance to prove that this program is successful, we will be able to find other financial backers by creating partnerships with local engineering firms and colleges.
Tell us about your partnerships
Currently the only partnership we have is the cooperation of the location where the camp will be held.
Current annual budget of project, in US dollars
$1,000‐$10,000
Explain your selections
The project currently does not have any financial backing. We are in the process of reaching out to local businesses, engineering firms, and colleges.
How do you plan to strengthen your project in the next three years?
If given the chance to start up our project we would be able to strengthen it in the future by showing proven results to the community.
Partnerships and Accountability
Please tell us more about how your partnership was formed and how it functions. What specific role does each partner play? What unique resources does each partner bring to the initiative?
There are currently only two people involved in the Future Engineers. Each are teachers in local high schools. Each will be considered lead teachers in the summer program classroom. Both teachers are highly qualified to teach in the classroom, both holding Technology Education teacher certificates. The teachers teach a vast variety of courses between them.
How are you building in accountability for students' successful STEM learning outcomes? Please provide a summary and examples.
The main form of assessment will be a “KWL” chart to asses the students prior and learned
knowledge. Individually the students will write down approximately 5 things they “K”now about
the topic introduced by the lead teachers, next the students will write down approximately 3-5
things they “W”ant to learn about the topic, after this is complete the students will begin learning
about the material and doing the activity. Once the activity is complete the students will reflect on
the project as a class, the teachers will give back the KWL chart and the students will write down
1-3 things they have “L”earned from the activity. Having this document available will provide
feedback for the teachers, seeing whether or not the students were engaged in learning.
Needs
Investment.
Please use this space to elaborate on your selection above and/or to add needs that may not be listed.
Offers
Research/Information, Innovation/Ideas, Mentorship.
Please use this space to elaborate on your selection above and/or to add offers that may not be listed.
 | 93 weeks ago Stefani Kirk updated this Competition Entry. |
| 97 weeks ago Stefani Kirk updated this Competition Entry. |
| 97 weeks ago Stefani Kirk submitted this idea. |
