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42 S T U F F • 2 0 1 7 P R O F I L E S STEM Early College High School: Building the foundation for college & career readiness Those who hope to succeed in today's rapidly evolving world need to have a solid educational foundation, high levels of technical skills and practical, hands-on experience. Research from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) supports that thinking, reporting that more than 70 percent of occupations today relate to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). And that number is certain to grow. In 2011, Marlborough High School recognized the importance of integrating these four disciplines into the academic experience and with a grant from the U.S. DOL and the Massachusetts Department of Education (DOE), the district implemented the STEM Early College High School program to prepare students for life beyond the classroom. The STEM program is part of the Pathways to Prosperity Network, an initiative of Jobs for the Future, Inc., and the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Unlike the traditional high school experience, which delays consideration for higher educational or work opportunities until closer to graduation, the STEM Early College High School encourages students to begin thinking about a career as early as middle school. Dan Riley, Director of Marlborough's STEM Early College High School and Supervisor of Mathematics & Technology 6 – 12, explained that students who operate within a high-level curriculum framework in small learning communities and engage in project-based, work-based and interdisciplinary scholarship with early college opportunities have a better chance of improving their growth mindset and college/career- readiness. Enhanced learning, in and out of the classroom The Charles W. Whitcomb School STEAM program serves all middle school students with a model in which teachers from different disciplines – visual arts, engineering and instructional technology – collaborate daily to plan lessons. This model continues with the STEM Early College program beginning in Grade 9, which introduces a higher level of interdisciplinary learning revolving around engineering as its core. Additionally, the school features state-of-the-art equipment, such as PTC's CREO CAD, CNC technology, lasers, 3-D printers, 6-Axil industrial robots, a "fab lab" and other tools to help students hone technical skills and foster critical thinking. During each of the high school years, students are exposed to various stages of post-secondary and career readiness. In Grade 9 students develop self-awareness and explore different disciplines; career mentors help guide students in Grade 10. In Grades 11 and 12, students can select one of four pathways to gain dual enrollment college credits: computer science, biotechnology, healthcare, or engineering; they also participate in internships with local companies. The program's structure enables students to determine the best path for their particular skills and aptitudes. By taking foundational courses that are common among all six pathways, students come to understand more about themselves and are able to make a conscious decision about their futures. "We allow them to have a say in what they will do," said Riley. "They see a relationship between their passions and how it benefits them to explore career interests through Naviance and other career guidance tools. When students gain regular and intensive practice with technical and teamwork skills, motivation, confidence and resilience for the real world of industry grows, and they understand how to shape that goal." Students also love the excitement of learning along with teachers, as staff gains new skills through training in CREO software, the Kuka robot and other technologies. Address: 431 Bolton St., Marlborough, MA 01752 P: 508-460-3500 District: Marlborough Public Schools Superintendent: Maureen Greulich Principal, Marlborough High School: Charles Caliri Program: Marlborough STEM Early College High School Director of STEM ECHS: Daniel J. Riley Created: 2011 Number of students: 1600 Grades: 5 through 12 Marlborough High School and PSW Youth Careers, the metro- southwest workforce investment board,* collaborate with companies and community organizations in the Marlborough area to support students in their school-to-career pathways. Listed below are some of the industry and educational partners who provide work-based learning opportunities in school and on-site: Marlborough High School • Boston Scientific • Boys and Girls Club of Metrowest • Bryley Systems • City of Marlborough • Davis Companies • Dell • Dow • FLEXcon • Framingham State University • GE Healthcare • Geisel Software, Inc. • Hologic • IPG Photonics • Jenike & Johanson • Ken's Foods • Marlborough Economic Development Corporation • Mass Mentoring Partnership • MassMEP • National Grid • Operon Resources • PTC • Quest Diagnostics • Quinsigamond Community College • UMASS Memorial – Marlborough Hospital • Raytheon • RSVA/ Retirees' School Volunteers Association • SanDisk • STEM Garden Institute • Sunovion • Synopsys • Wayne J. Griffin Electric, Inc. • Worcester Polytechnic Institute *The metro-southwest workforce investment board, Partnerships for a Skilled Workforce, Inc., provides key resources and expertise in employer engagement and work-based-learning to Marlborough HS. AT A G L A N C E