Exciting Hands-on Learning Opportunities for Local Educators!

July 2023 Newsletter

Local educator learning to operate a robotic arm in LBCC's mechatronics lab.

Growing Innovating, Learning, Prospering... Together!

View the Spanish translation of our newsletter here.

From the Director's Desk

West Albany High School’s Class of 2023 Graduation Ceremony

Hello and happy summer season-

First, a word of congratulations to all the recent graduates: we wish you well in whatever lies ahead! And to all the families, educators, and supporters who cheered you along, we celebrate you for the critical roles you play in supporting the success of students of all ages here in the region. Hats off to you all!

I have one item to highlight this month: our Closing the Gap podcast. Did you know…?

Women and gender minorities make up just over 25% of the workforce in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), and men vastly outnumber women majoring in most STEM fields in college.
The gender gaps are particularly high in some of the fastest-growing and highest-paid jobs of the future, like computer science and engineering.
In trades occupations, this gap is even larger with women only making up 9% of the workforce in construction and other skilled trades occupations.
And those numbers are much lower for women and gender-diverse people of color.

Closing the Gap seeks to diversify the talent pipeline for these high-wage, high-demand careers. Representation is an important element in inspiring and empowering students to pursue pathways such as those in STEM and the skilled trades that will lead to economic prosperity and help eliminate generational poverty. Closing the Gap is building a diverse platform for voices to represent all students in Linn and Benton counties - and we’re looking for guests for our 2023-2024 lineup! If you or someone you know is blazing a trail and can help shine a light for others, send them our way. We want to share their story! Learn more and sign up here.

We have many more tools, programs, and resources to share with you, so please enjoy this month’s newsletter. I hope you find something of interest and relevance to you, your family, students, and work. Thanks for all you do out there!

Thanks and be well,

Sarah Whiteside, Director

Mid-Valley STEM-CTE Hub

Educators got an opportunity to try out an educational circuit-building tool in LBCC’s mechatronics lab.

Educating the Educator:

Educator Externships

During the first week of summer break, Greater Albany Public Schools educators joined the Hub for 2023’s first of three rounds of educator externships. Educator Externships are an important part of our career-connected learning programs in which educators tour local businesses and postsecondary training facilities to learn about local career opportunities.

One returning GAPS educator that decided to join the externship program again this summer said “These externship opportunities help me stay informed about local business and

industry needs which in turn helps me direct my students down career paths that

they may find enjoyable”.

This year we have a couple of new stops for the externs. Our industry partners for the

first round of externships included Knife River Training Center, Albany/Millersburg Water Reclamation Facility, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 280, and LBCC’s Non-Destructive Testing and Welding programs.

At these locations the externs received tours of the facilities, the opportunity to ask questions while getting to know the people working in these fields, and in some cases hands-on opportunities to try out equipment in these facilities.

The following two rounds will be open to educators from all over Linn and Benton Counties. Some of the stops with local industry partners will be repeated, though upcoming externs can look forward to also touring our makerspace- The MILL, Calapooia Brewing and Vivacity Spirits, Softstar Shoes, Entek, HP, Roseburg Forest Products, NW Natural, and local metals manufacturer, ATI.

For the educators that are reading this that missed out on this year’s Educators Externship program, keep an eye out next spring. This is a growing program that you will not want to miss out on this opportunity next summer!

To learn more about the 'behind the scenes' side of the Educator Externships programs, continue on to the Partner Spotlight section below.

News From the Hub

The MILL Visits Talent Maker City

"After opening the Hub’s makerspace, The MILL, in January 2023 and working in that space for two terms, I realized there was lots of room to grow as a safe and inclusive space for creativity and collaboration. I’ve always admired TMC and their work, and as my mentor from the beginning it was only natural that I continue my learning by following in their footsteps..."

Keep Reading

A Proud Supporter

On June 24th the Hub crew gathered in downtown Albany for the 7th annual Albany Pride event. The Hub is proud to show our support for the local LGBTQIA+ community.

Learn more

Mobile Makerspace Brings STEAM to the Farmers Market

Brownsville Farmers Market was the latest stop for the Mobile Makerspace. Local kids had a stellar time building straw rockets and marble runs while enjoying the lovely weather and frolicking in the grass.

Keep Reading

Partner Spotlight

Special thanks to our CCL business and industry ecosystem partners that helped contribute to the success of this year’s externship program:

Knife River Training Center
Albany/Millersburg Water Reclamation Facility
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 280
LBCC’s Mechatronics, Non-Destructive Testing, and Welding CTE programs
Mid-Valley STEM-CTE Hub’s Maker and Innovation Learning Lab (The MILL)
Calapooia Brewery and Vivacity Spirits
Softstar Shoes
ATI

The 2023 Educator Externship program helps local educators learn about businesses and industries to help spark student interest in careers that can bolster our

local economy.

Career-connected learning provides a framework of awareness, exploration, preparation,

and training for students that are both learner-relevant and directly linked to professional

and industry-based expectations.

Intentional CCL partnerships make a significant impact:

Everyone benefits when students are able to leave school workforce ready
Students have what they need to be successful in their careers
Schools make progress against the metrics they care about such as graduation rates
Employers build stronger talent pipelines
Community economies are strengthened

With a generation hungry for change - and an economy that is experiencing historic staffing shortages, this is the moment to rethink an education system that works for everyone. To address these gaps, MVSCH works cradle to career to provide youth with hands-on STEAM and CTE that can inspire them to embark on a pathway to well-paying positions and contribute to the future prosperity of the community.

Funding for educator externships during the 2021-2023 biennium were made possible through generous support from the Oregon Community Foundation Education Fund and through a collaborative Youth Development Oregon Community Investment Youth Solutions career exploration grant in partnership with the Albany Public Schools Foundation.

If you are interested in learning more about opportunities to support the Hub through partnership support, please contact the MVSCH Fund Development Manager, Janice Hardy.

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