FloridaLearns STEM Scholars STEM Talent Development Experience Instructions

Transcription

1 STEM Talent Development Experience Instructions 1. Please review the list of workplaces/agencies in your community that have agreed to become STEM Talent Developers. The type of STEM Talent Development experience each workplace/agency is willing to provide is listed. 2. If you are interested in one of these experiences: a. Complete the STEM Talent Development Workplace Experience Request and Agreement and Workplace Experience Guide Review Verification forms. b. Make certain your Parent/Guardian/Caregivers sign and have the Request and Agreement form notarized. c. Ask your principal to review and sign the Request and Agreement form. d. Return the forms to your STEM Counselor or STEM Mentor teacher. This individual is responsible for ensuring the forms are returned to project personnel at PAEC. 3. FloridaLearns STEM Scholars project personnel will then contact the business or agency to let them know you will be contacting them to arrange the experience and will also notify the STEM Mentor Teacher and attempt to notify the STEM Scholar as well by . The STEM Mentor teacher will print the verification from project personnel and ensure the student receives a copy of the message. 4. Once you receive the notification the business has been contacted, you will be responsible for contacting the business to discuss details and to set up the experience. 5. At the end of the experience, please ask the workplace/agency representative with whom you ve been in contact to sign your copy of the STEM Talent Development Experience Student Reporting Form. 6. Give the completed form to the STEM Mentor Teacher or STEM Counselor to place into your STEM Scholars portfolio which is housed in the guidance office at your school. 7. Send a thank you letter to the contact at the business or agency that hosted your Talent Development experience. A sample has been provided. 8. The business/agency will also have a form that should be completed and faxed to the consortium when you complete the experience. Please remind them to complete this form. Questions and Answers: 1. Why do my Parent/Guardian/Caregivers need to notarize the form? a. It is very important for your Parent/Guardian/Caregivers to know about and approve of this/these workplace experience/s request/s and that is our only means of verifying their knowledge and approval. 2. Why is it necessary for project personnel to contact the business or agency? a. We are promising the businesses/agencies that the students who will contact them are not younger than an 11 th grader and are the gifted and talented students participating in the FloridaLearns STEM Scholars project. This is our means of verifying that for them. 3. Why do I need to complete a workplace experience report although the workplace provider is also expected to fax a form? a. We recognize the business/agency personnel are very busy and if for some reason they fail to fax their form, you will have a record of the experience. It is also important for you to have a record in your portfolio to remind you (and those who will write recommendation letters for you) of what you ve accomplished. You will need this information when you completing college and scholarship applications. 4. What should I do if I submit the request form to my STEM Mentor Teacher or STEM Counselor and I haven t heard from project personnel (please allow two weeks)? a. Please contact us by at STEM@paec.org. We will happily follow-up on your behalf and be back in touch with you! 5. What should I do if I have specific questions about the STEM Talent Development process? a. You may ask your STEM Counselor, STEM Mentor Teacher, or contact project personnel by at STEM@paec.org. We want you to be well-informed!

2 STEM Talent Development Participation Criteria and Guidelines One of the most challenging aspects of the FloridaLearns STEM Scholars Project may be ensuring the impressions you create, as you interact with our STEM Talent Development Partners, are extremely positive. These partnerships were developed to give STEM Scholars the chance for real world interactions with STEM-related employers. Whether your experience involves job shadowing, job coaching, a tour, or internship experience, you are expected to adhere to workplace etiquette and guidelines to ensure the experience is beneficial for you and the STEM talent developer. Punctuality: Tardiness is a sign of disinterest in the work and disrespect for those who are taking time to provide the experience. Promptness signals eagerness, responsibility, and respect. It is a good idea to always be at least five minutes early. Attendance: Our STEM Talent Development partners are busy and have agreed to share a certain amount of time to help you with your education and career. If an appointment is cancelled, it should be for a good reason such as illness or a family emergency. Call immediately and speak directly with the person who will be responsible for the visit such as a supervisor, explain the situation, and apologize for inconvenience that may be caused. Do not simply leave a message with the receptionist. Confidentiality: Some of the workplace experiences may expose you to confidential aspects of a business. Make it your rule to never discuss information pertaining to the business aspects of the workplace with others. Attire: Adhere to the dress code of the company or business being visited. In almost every case, shorts, teeshirts, tank tops, open-toed shoes, torn jeans, or other casual attire may be inappropriate. A good rule of thumb is to be clean, neat, and model the attire after that of the supervisor and other employees in the workplace. If you are in doubt about the appropriate dress, ask when you contact the business/agency to set up the workplace experience. Remember, you will be representing your school, the FloridaLearns STEM Scholars Program, and the business/agency that is providing the experience. Conduct: At all times, students should behave in a professional, mature, and responsible manner. Inappropriate language or comments and using a cell phone for texting or talking to friends or family should be avoided at all times. Pay attention and listen to learn. First Impression: A firm handshake and eye contact will go a long way to creating a good impression. As those in the workplace are introduced, be friendly and smile. The first impression is often the one upon which someone s opinion of you is based. Follow Up: After you have completed participation with the STEM Talent Development Partner, it is very important to write a thank you letter to the mentor or host. This not only shows politeness and appreciation for the time you ve been given; it is an excellent skill to develop for future use. Adapted from: Building a Foundation for School to Work, from the Communities in Schools Job Care Network.

3 STEM Talent Development Workplace Request and Agreement Please complete this form, have it notarized, and return it to your STEM Mentor Teacher. Student Name (Please Print) Grade (Fall 2012) Age Home Phone Number School Name District Student s Emergency Contact Person Emergency Contact Phone Student s Mailing Address City State Zip Code Address STEM High School Courses Completed or Currently Enrolled In Name of Business Type of Workplace Experience AGREEMENT OF THE PARTIES 1. STUDENT S AGREEMENT: I will attend my placement for the full talent development period. I will ensure that both the school and the person or organization providing the placement will be notified if I am unable to attend the workplace. My dress and behavior will be in keeping with the accepted standards of my work experience provider and understand that this may include participation in random drug and alcohol testing as per any workplace health and safety requirements in particular industries. I will promptly tell my supervisor of any personal injury or damage to property which may involve me. I will comply with all work rules, policies and procedures and will at all times act in accordance with the instructions of my supervisor. I agree to conduct myself in a professional manner and acknowledge that I am responsible for my own actions during the course of the development program and understand that any party to this agreement may terminate my participation at any time. I understand that my participation in the talent development experience program is completely voluntarily and is an opportunity offered for the benefit of a learning experience and not employment; therefore, I understand that participation does not provide monetary compensation or benefits such as worker s compensation and health

4 insurance coverage through the school or sponsoring business. I further understand that it is my responsibility to provide all transportation needed to fulfill participation in the program and that program activities could involve certain risks such as those related to travel, the operation of machinery, or other risks, and I accept those risks and assume full responsibility for any associated injury, property losses or accidents. In consideration of the opportunity afforded me and with full knowledge and appreciation of the risks involved, I hereby agree to indemnify, release and hold harmless the Panhandle Area Educational Consortium, my school district, my school, and the Talent Development Experience Provider, as well as their officers, members, agents, faculty, employees, and insurers, from all forms and manner of risks inherent to the work experience position and from all claims and demands of any nature arising from my participation in the talent development program and related travel, except that this release shall not include a release of any claim occasioned by negligence or intentional torts of a party to this agreement. I HAVE READ THE ABOVE AND UNDERSTAND THAT IT CONTAINS A RELEASE. Student s Signature 2. PARENT/GUARDIAN/CAREGIVER/GUARDIAN/CAREGIVER S CONSENT (Applicable to students under 18 years of age): I am the Parent/Guardian/Caregiver or legal guardian/caregiver of the above named student and consent to my child participating in the work experience stated above. I understand that my child s participation in the talent development program is completely voluntarily and is an opportunity offered for the benefit of a learning experience and not employment; therefore, I understand that my child s participation does not provide monetary compensation or benefits such as workers compensation and health insurance coverage through the school or sponsoring business. I further understand that it is my responsibility to provide all transportation needed to fulfill participation in the program and that program activities could involve certain risks such as those related to travel, the operation of machinery, or other risks, and I accept those risks and assume full responsibility for any associated injury, property losses, or accidents. In consideration of the opportunity afforded my child, with full knowledge and appreciation of the risks involved, I hereby agree to indemnify, release and hold harmless the Panhandle Area Educational Consortium, my child s school district, school, and the Talent Development Experience Provider, as well as their officers, members, agents, faculty, employees, and insurers, from all form and manner of risks inherent to the work experience position and from all claims and demands of any nature arising from my child s participation in the work experience program and related travel, except that this release shall not include a release of any claim occasioned by negligence or intentional torts of a party to this Agreement. I HAVE READ THE ABOVE AND UNDERSTAND THAT IT CONTAINS A RELEASE. Signature of Parent/Guardian/Caregiver/Guardian/Caregiver Printed Name Parent/Guardian/Caregiver/Guardian/Caregiver signature must be notarized. The notary should sign and place the seal on the back of this form. 4. PRINCIPAL S AGREEMENT: I have reviewed the student s request and agreement and enter into this arrangement for the named student to be placed for the purpose of a STEM Talent Development experience with the above named work experience provider/s under the terms stated herein. Principal s Signature

5 State of Florida County of Signed and sworn (or affirmed) before me on by () (Name of person making statement) (Signature of Notary Public) (Commission # / Expiration or Stamp)

6 STEM Talent Development Workplace Experience Guide Review Verification Form Please indicate by your signature that you have read the FloridaLearns STEM Scholars Talent Development and Workplace Experience Guide and fully understand the policies and procedures for participation. Student Name (Printed) Signature Parent/Guardian/Caregiver Name (Printed) Signature

7 STEM Talent Development Experience Student Reporting Form Complete the information below for each STEM Talent Development experience and give the completed form to your STEM Mentor Teacher or STEM Counselor. Either will place the document into your STEM portfolio in the guidance office. Name of STEM Scholar: School: District: Type of STEM Talent Development Experience 1. STEM Career Shadowing 2. Workplace Tour 3. College or Career Coaching 4. Student Advocacy Activity 5. Internship 6. Other (please describe) Name of Business/Agency Where Experience Took Place: Name of Person Who Provided the Experience: What was/were your goal/s for this experience? How was/were the goal/s for this experience met? Please provide a short summary. /s: Total Hours: Signature of STEM Talent Development Provider:

8 STEM Talent Development Thank You Letter It is important to thank the person who made your STEM Talent Development experience possible. Your letter does not have to be lengthy. However, it should be sincere and personal. Please mail it out no later than one week after your workplace experience. Be sure to have an adult proof read the letter before you send it out! Sample Letter (do not abbreviate) Mr./Ms. Business Address Dear, Thank you for taking time to meet with me (yesterday/the date) for (what was the experience?). I found it interesting to learn more about you and your (job, career, profession, industry, company). The most interesting thing that I learned was.... I especially (liked appreciated, was impressed by, enjoyed, was surprised by). This was a valuable experience for me because (list three or four reasons) It was very thoughtful of you to Again thank you for helping me gain a deeper understanding of the careers available with a STEM education. Sincerely, Your Name in Signature