NHCBE Presentation A standards-based, K-2 science & STEM curriculum Fixing the NH STEM Pipeline in the Earliest Grades www.stemfromthestart.org A standards-based, K-2 science & STEM curriculum available to all schools at no cost.

⅓ of students have lost interest in pursuing STEM. Reasons: K-2 teachers have limited backgrounds in science/STEM subjects and little time to prep lessons. Many schools can't afford additional resources or personnel to improve quality of STEM learning. K-2 teachers lack the confidence and creativity in these subjects to inspire student interest. A growing performance gap between have/have-not schools, leaving students from poorer districts shut out of high-paying STEM jobs. The Challenge... By the time they leave Grade 3, ⅓ of students have lost interest in pursuing STEM. Why?... Results:

Makes it easy for teachers to prep effective STEM lessons Engages early learners with blend of animated adventures and activities Makes it easy for teachers to prep effective STEM lessons Aligned with Next Generation Science Standards Available to all schools and home-schools at no cost

Early Learners and the STEM Career Pathway STEM from the START is designed to get early learners - boys and girls - thinking about career pathways in STEM. Characters visit with real-life NH engineers and technologists Monthly e-blasts will feature stories about the amazing STEM jobs people do for real NH businesses Animated adventures feature girl role models who are capable and confident in all things STEM

STEM from the START Milestones 2012-2013: Developed concept and raised private money to produce a pilot. 2014: Pilot lesson tested successfully at UNH’s STEM Discovery Lab and in Manchester public schools 2015: Partnered with NH PBS to produce first four lessons of STEM from the START Physical Science Curriculum. 2016: Raised public money to build SftS website and make lessons available to NH teachers and homeschooling parents.

Current Initiatives Outreach to teachers/parents across NH (in partnership with New Hampshire Department of Education): Regional professional development workshops Targeted sessions for at-risk schools Help-line support for SftS users Monthly e-resource blasts to teachers/parents with STEM-focused activity ideas, interviews, and stories that feature NH STEM careers. STEM Stakeholders community building through social networking on Facebook, Twitter, etc.

What We Need To Succeed Total Needed: $90,000 For completion of the SftS Physical Science Curriculum: $55,000 Last four lessons: $80,000 Already committed by the Dorr Foundation: $25,000 For ongoing testing and evaluation of the lessons: $10,000 For five regional teacher workshops: $25,000 Total Needed: $90,000