IBM Programs Encourage

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IBM Programs Encourage Student Interest in STEM
Careers
Robin Willner Vice President, Global Community
Initiatives IBM Corporation
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• Programs that reach students
• TryScience.org
• EX.I.T.E. camps for young women
• IGNITE camps for multicultural boys
• MentorPlace.org
• IBM Women in Technology K-12 workshops
• Programs that reach teachers
• TryScience.org
• TryEngineering.org
• CSTA materials

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Qualitative Results EX.I.T.E. Changes Life Views
85 percent of 6,000 EX.I.T.E. campers worldwide
would consider engineering or technical-related
degree in college
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Challenges

• Keeping students engaged
• Buy-in from schools, teachers, administrators
• Taking ownership of initiative
• Keep excitement going throughout school year
• Consistent flow of volunteers
• Measurements / Tracking impact
• Seed Funding (ROI is long-term)

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Lessons Learned

• Complementing science/mathematics curriculum is
  key
• Creating AHA! moment for students (connection
  between school and world of work)
• Sometimes AHA! moment happens with teachers, too!
• Breaking the geek image for STEM starts at home
• Need to engage parents about why STEM is
  important
• Collaborating with university students (most
  recent role models)

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For more information

• www.tryscience.org
• www.tryengineering.org
• www.csta.acm.org
• www.ibm.com/ibm/ibmgives
• Robin Willner
• 914-499-5619
• willner_at_us.ibm.com