WESTFIELD – What does it take to become an engineer, a software programmer, a marine biologist, a research scientist, or an air traffic controller? The answer is to study math and science throughout middle school, high school, and beyond, according to the 12 dedicated STEM Ambassadors from companies such as Court Square Group, General Dynamics, Gulfstream Aerospace, Hasbro, Lowell Observatory, MA Department of Environmental Protection, Siemens and Tighe Bond that visited classrooms in East Longmeadow, Springfield, and Westfield to portray the fascinating array of careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM).
The classroom visits were made as part of a statewide program called DIGITS, an innovative cross-sector STEM education program that connects sixth-grade classes in Massachusetts schools with STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) professionals to inspire student interest in STEM subjects and careers. DIGITS, which is available to all public schools in Massachusetts free of charge, wrapped up its fifth year in classrooms at the end of the school year and will be recruiting schools to participate again in the fall for the 2014 – 2015 academic year.
“The goal of the program is to spark interest in STEM careers at an early age and highlight the connections between the math and science students study in school and the world around them,” according to DIGITS CEO and founder Joyce L. Plotkin. “Volunteers engage students by leading them in two hands-on activities, and talking about their own jobs and career paths, sharing with students the benefits of working in STEM careers.”
“Building STEM literacy among America’s next generation of leaders is critical,” said Mary Walachy, executive director of The Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation, a strong supporter of DIGITS. “Our commitment to STEM education led us to partner with DIGITS and support them in bringing the important STEM message to students and communities in western Massachusetts that if the students work hard and master math and science, it will really pay off for them down the road.”
In addition to having STEM professionals visit classrooms, the program provides a set of online STEM resources that teachers can use to supplement classroom instruction over the course of the academic year. Recognized by the Governor’s STEM Advisory Council with its @Scale endorsement, DIGITS is believed to be the only program in the state bringing STEM professionals into classrooms to promote STEM careers. During the 2013 – 2014 school year, 15,220 students – 21 percent of all the sixth graders in the state – at 121 schools in 82 cities/towns were motivated to study math and science by 188 volunteers from 61 companies/state agencies. Fifty-seven percent of the schools that participated are Title 1 schools with a high percentage of at-risk students.
