DIGITS

STEM Ambassadors

The DIGITS program introduces sixth grade students to a corps of STEM professionals –called STEM Ambassadors – who work in science and technology-based careers, are enthusiastic about their jobs, and interested in interacting with students.STEM Ambassadors, recruited from companies throughout the state, volunteer to visit sixth grade classrooms to tell their personal stories and engage the students in a series of interactive, multimedia exercises that help them overcome their fear of STEM subjects, encourage them to be more open to math and science, and stimulates their ability to visualize themselves in STEM jobs and careers.STEM Ambassadors come from all six of the participating associations.

STEM Ambassadors deliver one critical and consistent message to students… that if they take math and science in middle school, high school, and beyond… they will have many career opportunities available to them.

Classroom Activities

One major aspect of the program is to engage sixth grade students in a variety of interactive classroom activities that bring STEM careers to life.

1. Alphabet and Number Sticker Sheets

   One of the most innovative elements of the DIGITS campaign is the development of a creatively designed alphabet and set of numbers 1-10. Each letter and/or number includes a STEM icon from one of the six industry sectors included in the project. The icons represent tools used or products developed by STEM professionals. This alphabet helps to make the connections between STEM subjects and STEM jobs, providing a ‘visual’ representation of STEM professionals’ work. These icons take the abstract concepts of ‘engineering’ and ‘science’ and ‘technology’ and provide concrete examples that students in the sixth grade can recognize and understand.The letters and numbers are placed on a sticker sheet which STEM Ambassadors give to students in every class that they visit.

2. Names Exercise

   During the classroom visit, STEM Ambassadors ask each student to peel off the alphabet stickers that spell his/her name and place them on a “Name” line at the bottom of the sticker sheet. Then students engage in a dialogue with the STEM Ambassador about the jobs represented by the icons in their name. By doing this simple, individualized and personalized activity, students begin to ‘imagine’ themselves in STEM careers, based on what they see in their own names.

3. DIGITS Poster

   The DIGITS poster has several elements – the DIGITS alphabet, a multi-cultural picture of students engaged in STEM-related activities, and a set of “color bars” that illustrate the kinds of attributes and benefits available in STEM jobs and careers.The six attributes listed are also the same ones described by middle school students as being important to them in their future careers. They include:

   • Travel the world
   • Be part of a team
   • Have a flexible schedule
   • Earn a whole lot of money
   • Make the world a better place
   • Use your creativity

   The poster is left in the classroom for the teacher and students to use.

4. Cluster Card Exercise

   As a result of a teacher focus group, the Project was made aware that sixth graders often learn by taking things that are similar and sorting them into groups; the Project then created a sorting activity in the form of a deck of cards. Each individual STEM letter and number has been placed on its own card. Students are given a group of random cards and are asked to sort these cards into the four categories of STEM jobs:

   • Information Technology (computers, software and telecommunications);
   • Life Sciences (biotech and medical devices)
   • Engineering
   • Energy

   Identifying which icons relate to which category reinforces the knowledge of STEM jobs and industries.

5. DIGITS Music Video

   A compelling music video was created as one of the core elements of the program to grab the attention of the targeted student audience. Performed by Boston born actor, dancer and choreographer Tezz Yancey, in multiple musical styles, the lyrics reinforce the success that kids can achieve if they follow the DIGITS path and take math and science in middle school, high school and beyond.