Scientists, technology experts, engineers, and mathematical thinkers will shape the products and services of tomorrow. STEM education places a focus upon science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Art and design are also considered to be critical elements in preparing young people for the digital age of tomorrow, so often the term STE(a)M is used. The primary goal of blending these disciplines into curriculum is to provide students with the knowledge and skills required to pursue STEM related careers.
Art and Design are often included with Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math
Teach STEM Skills for Career Readiness
Equip your students with the skills needed to be prepared for the jobs of tomorrow using TechnoKids technology projects. We may not know what the careers will be in the next decade and beyond, but we can provide learning opportunities to make our students “future proof”. There are no specific, ideal skillsets we can teach young people. We can only instill a foundation of skills, knowledge, and attitudes based on today’s technology. We hope to create an adaptable mindset to apply learned knowledge to whatever the future holds. And to engage students to pursue a lifelong interest in becoming tech-savvy, we need to ignite a passion for innovation and learning. Make technology fun and kids’ interest will be sparked.
TechnoKids Projects Prepare Students for STEM Careers
I searched online for current, best STEM related jobs. Although the results will of course change over time, they reveal a need for a diverse set of technology, interpersonal, and higher-level thinking skills. TechnoKids has technology projects that teach foundational skills which are precursors to these careers. TechnoKids projects have students assume real-world career roles to learn basic yet critical STEM competencies. The skills they acquire will equip them to tackle the workplace of tomorrow.
Check out the job descriptions and see how the skills mastered in TechnoKids projects provide a basis for future success.
Financial Analyst
What does a financial analyst do?
- Helps people make wise investment choices such as projecting college savings, mortgage decisions, or estate planning
- Uses software to prepare reports, budgets, and forecast models
- Analyzes, tracks, and reviews financial performance
A financial analyst may work in a bank, insurance company, or in pension and mutual funds.
How does a TechnoKids project prepare students for this career?
In TechnoInvestor, students assume the role of a stock broker. They collaborate to form investment teams. A spreadsheet is used to track a portfolio and then an investor’s report is prepared to summarize results.
TechnoInvestor Learning Objectives:
✓ Apply problem-solving strategies to a real-world situation
✓ Develop financial literacy
✓ Organize, format, calculate, graph, and analyze data
Business Operations Manager
What does a business operations manager do?
- Coordinates different departments to meet company goals
- Guides team projects and hires people
- Makes decisions about clients, products, contracts, budgets, and company policies
A business operations manager may work in an international corporation, a consumer goods manufacturer, a government agency, or social services.
How does a TechnoKids project prepare students for this career?
In TechnoRestaurateur, students launch a new restaurant. They conduct a survey to make informed business decisions. Then they design a company logo and write a professional letter to raise investment capital. They design a floor plan. Financial earnings are analyzed and finally a newsletter advertises the success of the budding franchise.
TechnoRestaurateur Learning Objectives:
✓ Problem solve to make logical decisions
✓ Apply critical and creative thinking to develop a plan
✓ Collect, organize, calculate, graph, and analyze data
✓ Write a persuasive letter and newsletter to entice investors
Web Developer
What does a web developer do?
- Designs and builds a website to suit a client’s needs
- Writes code using programming languages and integrates graphics, audio, or video
- Monitors, maintains, and repairs problems
A web developer may be self-employed or work for an ecommerce business, an advertising company, an online publishing firm, or a technical, scientific, or management service.
How does a TechnoKids project prepare students for this career?
In TechnoHTML, students become web designers. They use HTML5 and CSS to code a web page.
TechnoHTML Learning Objectives:
✓ Identify the topic, purpose, and audience for a web page
✓ Set attributes, add hyperlinks, insert images, and create lists, background, classes, and tables
✓ Troubleshoot to fix problems
Information Security Analyst
What does an information security analyst do?
- Monitors and protects an organization’s computer networks and systems
- Develops security standards and best practices
- Researches security products and prepares reports
An information security analyst may work for a financial institution, a computer company, a government agency, or in the service industry.
How does a TechnoKids project prepare students for this career?
In TechnoInternet, students learn responsible digital citizenship. They develop search strategies, access digital resources, practice Internet safety, and communicate electronically.
TechnoInternet Learning Objectives:
✓ Demonstrate responsible, ethical, and safe behavior
✓ Discover effective search strategies and assess trustworthiness of web-based information
✓ Communicate online using netiquette
Marketing Coordinator
What does a marketing coordinator do?
- Writes, designs, edits, and prepares creative promotional materials
- Conducts online marketing initiatives such as ads, email promotions, and marketing campaigns
- Analyzes campaign insights and reports to management
A marketing coordinator may work in a consumer products company, for an event planner, or for media outlets.
How does a TechnoKids project prepare students for this career?
In TechnoAdvertise, students adopt the role of an advertising agent. They produce a range of professional publications: a flyer, catalog, custom mailer, and newsletter for clients.
TechnoAdvertise Learning Objectives:
✓ Write a resume and cover letter to apply for a marketing position
✓ Format text and graphics, create a table, add headers and footers, and insert a table of contents, index, and cross-reference
✓ Merge data into a personalized form letter
Social Media Strategist
What does a social media strategist do?
- Creates compelling editorial and promotional content to attract a target audience
- Communicates and responds to clients using social media best practices
- Strategizes for optimal viewership and engagement
A social media strategist may work in the news media, online advertising, social media, fashion, technology, or consumer goods.
How does a TechnoKids project prepare students for this career?
In TechnoBlog, students read, write, and comment on blog posts to express their expertise and opinions as responsible digital citizens.
TechnoBlog Learning Objectives:
✓ Identify the topic, purpose, and audience for a blog
✓ Plan and organize writing ideas to express an insight, advice, and opinion post
✓ Format and revise posts to optimize content and layout of title, sections, tags, and images
✓ Exchange ideas using commenting etiquette
Prepare Students for STEM Jobs
STEM education and career readiness are a key focus of our goals as teachers. TechnoKids projects are an ideal way to build the job skills that students will need to succeed. In my search for best STEM careers, I found so many fascinating ones that I’ll describe more in an upcoming blog.
