STEM Industry
Externship Program
Sponsored by the Governor’s STEM Workforce Development Council
Inquiry is open for the 2023 STEM Industry Externship
We are getting prepared for this year's STEM Industry Externship Program, which involves both teachers/instructors AND companies that desire to be a host site. information about the program can be found below on this page. If you are interested, please click the button that refers to your interest.
Submissions have been extended. Cut-off TBD.
Program Purpose
Provide educators with externship experiences in STEM-based public and private industries, deepening the connection between STEM workplaces and the classroom.
This program is designed to help teachers answer the age-old question, “When am I ever going to need to know this?” This knowledge will transform learning in the classroom and the teacher’s ability to connect content with student interests and career pathways. Through direct experience, visualization, interaction with industry experts, shop floor engagement, and lab and field STEM-learning experiences, educators will learn about important workplace skill requirements, trends, best practices, and the technology and tools needed for success in today’s STEM-based college and career fields.
The Role
of an
Employer Host
The role of an Employer Host is to provide an educator or small group of educators (based on capacity) with a 3 or 6 day, on-site, experiential learning opportunity in your place of business. This visit should consist of the following 8 aspects.
Safety first. The teacher extern should be trained in and follow all safety protocols while on your premise. This will also be part of their education and will aid in classroom instruction.
A deeper understanding of why soft skills are important in the workplace.
Be open to and encourage questions to deepen understanding.
A tour of departments and operations, along with an explanation of what happens in each area and the importance thereof. Show interdependencies and alignments where possible.
An overview of your business, including products, markets, customers, mission and values, and a basic understanding of the production and distribution process.
Allow hands-on application opportunities to reinforce learning when/where applicable.
An overview of career pathways, educational requirements, workplace culture and behavioral expectations.
Allow engagement opportunities for the educators to meet with team members at all levels of the organization to understand their roles and their career paths, as these stories may resonate with and inspire students.
Creating Wins
Through this collaborative effort between industry and education, we intend to attract and engage more young people into STEM-based career fields than ever before. What better way to reach them than to provide expanded industry-based educational opportunities to the educators, who can then apply their newfound learning in the classroom and inspire young minds.
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