2018-2019 CSL Ecosystem Program

The intent of this project is to bring together K-12 educators, intermediate units, career and technical centers, higher education, and business and industry partners to design and integrate innovative activities into the curriculum to promote career awareness and 21st century work skills. To achieve this end, project partners have created a six-day professional development program that includes the following goals:

A total of 25 educators will be recruited from eight CSL Ecosystem school districts in Carbon, Schuylkill, and Luzerne counties (Jim Thorpe Area, Lehighton Area, Panther Valley, Mahanoy Area, Shenandoah Valley, Tamaqua Area, Greater Nanticoke Area, and Wilkes-Barre Area).

• • 100% of the participants will visit the worksites of three manufacturing businesses and a career and technical center in their region (Carbon Career & Technical Institute, Schuylkill Technology Center, or Wilkes-Barre Area Career & Technical Center).

  • 100% of the participants will have access to a makerspace to work with emerging technology developing STEM inquiry- and project-based learning activities.

  • Each of the participants will complete a reflection log that includes observed skills and ideas for integrating the skills into the academic program.

  • 100% of the participants will design a STEM-based authentic learning activity that involves open-ended inquiry, thinking skills, and solving a real-world problem outside of the classroom as a community of learners.

  • 100% of the participants will develop lesson plans that expose students to the role science, technology, engineering, and mathematics play in advanced manufacturing.

  • All project deliverables will be compiled into the Bridging the Workplace, Classroom, and OST Environment Playbook. This digital collection will be made available to all school districts in Carbon, Schuylkill, and Luzerne counties through the Luzerne Intermediate Unit.

  • At least 95% of the participants will integrate career readiness activities and workplace skills into the curriculum.

  • Participants will also complete a reflection log and pre- and post-survey.

  • View primary artifacts that details the teachers' observations/reflections as they toured and interviewed staff at each worksite visit.

2018-2019 Teacher in the Workplace Slideshow

• Teacher Testimonials: click here to read our feedback from the educators that participated in this program.

Link to the 2018-2019 Teacher in the Workplace recorded webinar held June 18, 2019.