The Lakes Country Service Cooperative (LCSC) Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Project is a collaborative project to improve teaching and learning of STEM in western Minnesota and relay STEM concepts in regional industry to secondary curriculum.  We will work with industry partners to learn not only STEM content focusing on renewable energy, value-added agriculture, agri-bioscience and supportive manufacturing, but also gain an integrated, sustainable perspective into global and local STEM initiatives.  By working directly with regional industry and workforce development, teachers will better understand the region’s workforce needs and their connection to STEM content. 

There are three parts to the project:

STEM Academy: August 10 - 14, 2009

Taught concurrently by education professionals, workforce and industry leaders, STEM Academy participants engaged in study, sample curriculum, tours and partnered with regional business mentors for experiences by which to create dynamic STEM curriculum. 

Internship Experience:                              

Teachers are paired with regional businesses to experience 40 hours of internship training.   

Professional Learning Communities & Workshop:  6 days during 2009-2010 school year.

Teachers are grouped into professional learning communities to create, present and revise STEM curriculum utilizing the Japanese Lesson Study model based on their learning and experiences during the STEM Academy and internships.