Future “Agents of STEAM”

STEAM workshop at Florida State College by me at the
Advanced Technology Center 2015 Summer

Future “Agents of STEAM”

“Education is only a ladder to gather fruit from the tree of
knowledge, not the fruit itself.” A. Einstein

Sharing my presentation at Florida State University with students
from DCPS and a summer STEAM / STEM program. I was proud
and honored to be invited to speak to them this summer.

The summer provided many opportunities for students in middle
and high school level to participate in learning opportunities that
delivered a chance to engage in new levels of learning.

Summer STEAM programs are a great opportunity for students to
have a chance to ask questions, share career ideas, learning
about growing technologies and even work in teams to create
potentially new entrepreneurial companies. Learning opportunities
such as these open doors to dreaming of careers and educational
opportunities never thought of before. The learning initiatives of
STEM, STREAM, CSTEAM and others helps to share the excitement
of the components of Computers Science Technology Reading
Engineering Arts and Mathematics working in collaboration to help
make learning fun and relevant.

During the academic careers of students from elementary to high
school, students will engage in all of these areas in one form or
another, too many do not understand the connection and
empowerment to future careers that any of these areas has.
Students cannot just focus on sports, entertainment, cosmetology
and service careers to sustain them and their families,
they need a career plan with continuing education.

Technology plays a key role in how students will be prepared for
higher education, military service, employment or even being
underemployed because students feel they are not smart
enough or talented enough for the components that make up
the skills needed for 21st century employment.

My Educational Technology class at Edward Waters College
where I incorporate:
Social Media, STEAM, Educational and interactive technologies.

Teachers need to be trained as well to create an environment
that is student centered for learning not just teacher centered
for instruction. The paradigm is changing for instruction, just look
at Japan, China, India and other countries. They are exporting
“human capital,” individuals that are skilled in how to integrate
technology and are competing with American students for high
tech, high salary careers not just jobs.

During my time with the middle and high school students at
Florida State College in Jacksonville, Florida in the Advanced
Technology Center, was a great place for students to see how
learning is important for their career choices and how technology
influences their employment chances.

In this world students cannot afford to be complacent and easy
going about their education. Cities are becoming technology hubs
of growth, advancement, innovation and research & development
centers.

Look at Orlando, Florida with the Florida Blogging and Technology
Conference (http://FlBlogCon.com), I attend every year to learn
and enhance my tech skills I also attend:
Blogging While Brown http://www.bloggingwhilebrown.com
WordPress Conference https://central.wordcamp.org/
Bar Camp Technology http://barcamporlando.org/
workshops and more. I love to share what I have learned.

Me speaking at Florida Blogging Conference in Orlando, Florida

If children want to be members of a progressive society they
need to be involved in STEAM, STEM, STREAM and educators
need to be trained on integrating each part in the instructional
process and parents need to be educated on new careers for
their children that will provide high salaries, stable employment
and keep children from returning home from college graduation.

I have two in college and work with them to guide their career
decisions to grow into independence so they can stay independent
not struggling and coming back home to live. According to
USNews.com focusing on careers, “The number of job openings is
staggering (for these skills), women and minorities aren’t too
interested in STEM jobs, only because they are not taught about
them or exposed as they should be.” The paradigm is changing
and because of growing community programs men, women and
minorities are growing interested in these positions. Children need
engagement, interactivity and a hands on approach to learning.
STEM, STEAM, STREAM and other curriculum’s are student centered
and require engagement, and interactivity with other students and
the integration of technological tools.

Black Male Explorers class at Edward Waters College 2014 Summer

Forbes.com shows the potential to career growth and high salaries.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/kathryndill/2014/07/03/the-top-paying-stem-jobs-for-recent-grads/

As I continue to speak to groups of students of all grades there
are other educators that are contributing to educating boys and
girls to computer programming, coding, web development,
creating Apps, graphic design and even robotics. It will take
continued exposure and encouragement for minority girls and boys
to grow and contribute in an ever changing world.

My STEAM Presentation with input by students on new careers
they developed. These are middle and high school students.

Idea 1 Arts in Science from STEAM Workshop
https://youtu.be/cJ_76Qy80ZA
Video 2 Dojo for Self Defense Training
https://youtu.be/yXbDNwWQ5Hs
Idea 3 Mindtricks STEAM Initiative
https://youtu.be/7h5ChfJuWuw
Idea 4 Supporting Africa STEAM Incorporation
https://youtu.be/Kh8jtKr7w60
Inspiration quotes for girls and women in STEM / STEAM
http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/01/tech/12-inspirational-quotes-from-women/

Black Inventors
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vjb38fKjCQ

A Real Agent of STEAM – Taylor Richardson of Jacksonville, Florida

Alton Yates and Taylor Richardson – Past Agent of STEAM
and Future Agent of STEAM