Tri-State STEM + Conference Recap
- Kamela Joy
- Jan 6
- 2 min read
Exploring STEM Entrepreneurship in K12 Education
Dr. Kamela Joy Goodwyn traveled to the University of Cincinnati in October networking with K12 administrators, science and math teachers, and the STEM business community. The fall Tri-State STEM + Conference included Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana STEM educators who exchanged best practices for improving our STEM classrooms, and impacting our STEM world....one lesson at a time.
Our workshop titled, “What’s the Business with STEM?” attracted K12 science teachers seeking to shake up their classrooms with a little more than science projects. A lot more than science experiments. A significant more than learning scientific methods. Attendees were on board to learn proficiencies in building innovative STEM Entrepreneurship curriculum, exposing K12 students to patents, methods to building innovation, financial projects, and sales and marketing
concepts. All through a project-based approach.
Kamela Joy presented a sample STEM Entrepreneurship curriculum designed for 8th graders, walking participants through instructional resources, student project samples and evaluative assessments. The 9-week sample curriculum was developed for a midwestern middle school and the final project of the course results produced solid examples of STEM-related enterprises utilizing business resources and concepts.
To substantiate the effectiveness of STEM Entrepreneurship curriculum on student learning, Kamela Joy also shared curriculum learning outcomes for 107 students, as reported by teachers. Those outcomes were:
Over 60% of students expressed interest in a STEM Career
Approximately 31% expressed interest in STEM Business ownership
Over 90% expressed excitement about the Patent filing process
Kamela Joy too shared recommendations for curriculum improvements indicated by 8th grade teachers:
IT Software
Lab Equipment
Engineering Equipment (3D machines, Civil software)
During the Q & A session of the workshop, participants offered affirmative insights on the significance of early STEM Entrepreneurship education for students of color on their trajectory in STEM higher education. The most significant impact mentioned was exposure to the possibilities of patent and business ownership. Both areas of ownership are gateways to legacy foundations such as generational wealth and legacy STEM businesses. Historically, the Black and Brown community have enormous contributions to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, and future contributions are shaped by early exposure to innovative curriculum..
The Tri-State STEM + Conference gathered a host of K12 science educators expressing a hunger to innovate their classrooms with trending STEM curriculum. The workshop session, “What’s the Business with STEM?” delivered a futuristic STEM Entrepreneurship curriculum, providing educators with resources, tools and methods to bring new ideas to the classroom...shaping new thinking..... preparing students for legacy opportunities.
What's the Business with STEM?
If you're eager to dive deeper into the innovative strategies and curriculum insights shared by Kamela Joy during her session, we invite you to explore her comprehensive guide, What's the Business with STEM?. This book offers an in-depth look at integrating STEM entrepreneurship into K12 education, providing valuable tools and methods to inspire the next generation of innovators and business leaders. Don't miss the opportunity to bring these transformative ideas into your classroom or community.
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