Elementary and Middle School Engineering Outreach: Building a STEM Pipeline

The J. B. Speed School of Engineering is working to build a K-12 STEM (Science Technology, Engineering and Math) pipeline. Speed School is working with the local public school system and eventually the Louisville Science Center to expose young students to the world of engineering to prepare and encourage them to study STEM fields. Two successful bi-weekly programs are currently in place: (1) "Engineering Is Elementary" (EIE) program, offered in three local elementary schools and (2) "In the Middle of Engineering" (IME) clubs in two area middle schools. Both programs are coordinated by the Director of Outreach Programs at the Speed School and are supported by graduate and undergraduate students, faculty, and engineering alumni. Response to these programs has been very positive. This summer, the J.B. Speed School of Engineering participated in a unique training partnership with JCPS to provide teachers with training needed to support additional programs.

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