LASER: Leadership and Science Ensures Results--A STEM Partnership between Industry and Education

Abstract: As the Baby Boomer generation prepares to retire and our youth continue to fall behind their international peers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), there is a growing crisis regarding the United States STEM pipeline. This crisis is the catalyst for a partnership between Raytheon and the McKinney Independent School District (MISD). LASER (Leadership And Science Ensures Results) is a STEM outreach program sponsored by Raytheon and jointly developed and supported by resources from both Raytheon and MISD. LASER combines technical and leadership elements and is embedded into the School 11th grade Physics curriculum. The curriculum is implemented in a series of class room visits and a Capstone activity. The program has engaged over 1500+ students and received positive feedback from students, teachers, and coordinators. Data shows that the program has caused 42% of the participants to consider pursuing a career involving STEM. In addition, 15% of the participants stated that the program re-affirmed their interest in STEM careers. This data points to a brighter future for the United States STEM pipeline. As the Baby Boomer generation prepares to retire and our youth continue to fall behind their international peers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), there is a growing crisis regarding the United States’ STEM pipeline. This crisis is the catalyst for a partnership between Raytheon and the McKinney Independent School District (MISD). LASER (Leadership And Science Ensures Results) is a STEM outreach program sponsored by Raytheon and jointly developed and supported by resources from both Raytheon and MISD. LASER combines technical and leadership elements and is embedded into the School 11th grade Physics curriculum. The curriculum is implemented in a series of class room visits and a Capstone activity. The program has engaged over 1500+ students and received positive feedback from students, teachers, and coordinators. Data shows that the program has caused 42% of the participants to consider pursuing a career involving STEM. In addition, 15% of the participants stated that the program re-affirmed their interest in STEM careers. This data points to a brighter future for the United States STEM pipeline

Keywords: STEM - K-12 Outreach - Partnering - Conference Proceedings