RALEIGH, N.C.—More than 100 Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) educators from 50 schools will experience professional development from local business leaders as part of WakeEd Partnership’s SummerSTEM program. WakeEd Partnership (WakeEd), a nonprofit organization committed to improving public education in Wake County, will send select educators to two STEM focused companies on Tuesday (July 12) and Thursday (July 14). The following companies are participating in this initiative:

Tuesday Hosts Thursday Hosts

Red Hat Cisco

FREEDM Systems Center SAS

LORD Corporation Syngenta

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

SummerSTEM exists to enrich each educator’s understanding of the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in careers involving science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). At SummerSTEM, professionals share their real-life strategies with schools to make a “STEMpact” on education. These practices will reach the next generation of STEM professionals – students – at their primary point of contact – schools.

SummerSTEM includes a professional development course that includes direct instruction in project-based learning, observation of community college instruction in STEM fields provided by Wake Technical Community College, and immersion in STEM work settings with STEM professionals. The program spans two weeks, with the first week dedicated for secondary teachers and a second week for elementary educators. Following their immersion, educators develop a teaching unit that synthesizes their experiences and meets the WCPSS Vision 2020 goals for teaching and learning. WCPSS teacher leaders will coach the participants as they develop their units and help the educators continue their relationships with businesses as the school year progresses.

“Last year we were only able to offer SummerSTEM to our secondary teachers,” WakeEd President Steve Parrott said. “By expanding the program to elementary school educators, we are ensuring that the entire next generation of WCPSS graduates will receive relevant learning experiences that will stay with them for years.”

All inquiries regarding the SummerSTEM program and media interviews may be directed to Teresa Pierrie, WakeEd Director of Programs, at 919-247-9216.

About WakeEd Partnership

WakeEd Partnership is an independent, nonprofit organization comprised of business and community leaders committed to improving public education. Since 1983, the Partnership has advocated for excellent educational opportunities for all students in the Wake County Public School System. For more information, please visit www.wakeed.org.

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