The Golden LEAF grant provided funding to the STEM East Network to establish a Project-Based Learning (PBL) and STEM education program aligned with regional employers’ needs for skilled workers. STEM East served as the coordinator working directly with middle school teachers and staff from four eastern NC school districts: Halifax County Schools, Hertford County Public Schools, Elizabeth City Pasquotank County Schools, and Dare County Schools. The project team developed PBL and STEM education tools, processes, and practices; and assessed the impact of the program using common outcomes. A total of six workshops were held at various locations in eastern North Carolina connecting teacher participants with regional industries/employers. Funds were used for personnel, travel, and the costs of training events.
Workshop 1: Sylvan Heights Bird Park – Architecture and Sustainable Construction
Workshop 2: Coastal Studies Institute – Coastal Science and the Economy
Workshop 3: Elizabeth City State University – Aviation and Aerospace
Workshop 4: NERSBA – Agriculture and Agriscience
Workshop 5: Center for Energy Education – Renewable Energy
Workshop 6: Hertford Middle School – STEM Classroom Resources
