DIGITS is a sixth-grade classroom program that pairs STEM professionals – individuals who work in science and technology-based companies/organizations – with sixth-grade classrooms throughout the state to increase students’ interest in math and science subjects and careers.
Why is this effort important? Science Magazine reports that the single biggest determinant for students choosing STEM careers is whether they have had their ‘interest sparked.’ This program focuses on ‘sparking interest.’
In addition, nationally, 33% of high school students taking the SATs indicate they are interested in pursuing a STEM career. But in Massachusetts, that number is only 28%. In contrast, the number for our competitor state of North Carolina is 38%.
The name of the program – DIGITS – was selected because research indicates that math is the biggest barrier to STEM careers. By using a math term and making it engaging and kid friendly, the program is able to break through the math barrier and reminds students of the myriad ways in which they use numbers in their daily lives.
DIGITS VOLUNTEERS
The role of volunteers, called STEM Ambassadors in this program, is a crucial one. They inspire and motivate students and deliver fundamental messages about the importance of taking math and science as the foundation and gateway to many exciting career possibilities. Volunteers come from key STEM sectors including computers, robotics, video games, telecommunications, wireless, Internet, biotech, medical device, pharmaceutical, energy, and engineering, and are representative of the workforce as a whole – including gender balance and diverse ethnicity. They are trained before they enter the classroom, provided with ‘best practices’ in presenting to sixth graders, and supplied with all the program materials they need to deliver the program in the classroom. STEM professionals can register to become a volunteer on the DIGITS website homepage – www.digits.us.com – by clicking on the Sign Up button that says Company/Volunteer.
DIGITS IN THE CLASSROOM
Implementing the program in the classroom includes:
- Matching STEM volunteers to classrooms to inspire students with their personal stories and enthusiasm for their work and to convey the program messages about the importance of math and science;
- Providing materials to math and science teachers to enhance their understanding of STEM careers; and
- Utilizing interactive exercises that motivate students to pursue math and science careers by emphasizing the benefits and rewards that STEM careers offer.
Participating schools voluntarily “opt in” to the program. Each DIGITS classroom visit takes one period (approximately 45 minutes) and volunteers are asked to visit a minimum of two math/science classes at a time. No work is required of teachers to prepare for the visit and there is no cost to the school to participate. The DIGITS program provides all materials used in the classroom. Class visits are scheduled at a mutually convenient time for both the teachers and the volunteers.
DIGITS PROGRAM ELEMENTS
- An award-winning logo and creatively designed alphabet and set of numbers 1 – 9 have STEM icons – representing tools used or products developed by STEM professionals – embedded in each letter/number. These icons help to make the connections between STEM subjects and STEM jobs.
- Interactive exercises help students understand the benefits of studying math and science and the wide range of job opportunities open to them if they do. These exercises utilize the DIGITS alphabet and numbers and enable students to envision themselves in STEM careers.
- A colorful multicultural poster pictures students engaged in STEM activities and lists the attributes and benefits available in STEM jobs and careers – all of which, research has shown, are desired by middle school students in a job/career.
- An energetic, enthusiastic and upbeat music video and theme song, recorded in several different musical genres speaks to students in their own ‘language.” The lyrics reinforce the success that kids can achieve if they follow the DIGITS path and take math and science in school. The lyrics also underscore the influential role of teachers and STEM Ambassadors in “inspiring kids to embrace the dreams within.”
- The DIGITS website – www.digits.us.com – is the portal to information about the program for teachers, Ambassadors, and corporate partners. Links to the DIGITS classroom preview, music video, and an online program evaluation form that elicits teacher and volunteer feedback are all available on the website. Also accessible are copies of key materials used in the classroom.
DIGITS GETS POSITIVE AND FAR-REACHING RESULTS
In its first year of implementation, the DIGITS program was presented:
- to 10,032 students in 118 schools in 79 cities and towns
- by 154 volunteers (41% female; 23% minority) from 44 STEM companies.
The project’s independent evaluator reports that:
- Teachers gave the message, materials, and volunteers high or very high ratings; 97% of them said they would recommend the program to their colleagues;
- Volunteers felt very prepared and gave the program high or very high ratings,
- Most importantly, students showed a statistically significant increase in their interest in math, knowledge of STEM careers, and understanding of the steps needed to pursue STEM careers. Students showed greater interest in after-school STEM-related activities.
DIGITS FOUNDING ORGANIZATIONS
DIGITS was developed by six leading industry associations that came together, for the first time, to address their common issue of a shortage of workers in the STEM pipeline. The organizations include: The Engineering Center (host organization); Massachusetts Technology Leadership Council; Massachusetts Biotechnology Education Foundation, affiliated with the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council; Massachusetts Network Communications Council (now a part of the Mass Tech Leadership Council); Massachusetts Medical Device Industry Council; and New England Clean Energy Council.
DIGITS SPONSORS AND SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS
The project was originally funded by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education’s STEM Pipeline Fund and the Massachusetts Technology Leadership Council. It is currently funded by STEM companies including The MathWorks, Akamai, Analog Devices, SolidWorks, Verizon, Cisco, Meditech, PTC, and IBM. The program is being implemented in partnership with the Mass. Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, Massachusetts Elementary School Principals Association, and Massachusetts Secondary Schools Administrators’ Association.
CONTACTS
Joyce Plotkin, Program Chair – joyce@digits.us.com – 617-694-7309
Carol Greenfield, Program Director – carol@digits.us.com – 617-872-8602
