More than 100 Area 31 Career Center's community partners, who represent a variety of career fields and organizations, are involved in advising local STEM programming. While there are many partners involved in supporting the growth and effectiveness of programs, the following three partners stand out as some of the most involved:

Elizabeth Rovazzini, President B & W Plumbing and Heating (HVAC)

Kenneth Hurst: Operations Manager at Cummins Sales and Service (Auto Service)

Leslie Anderson: Executive Director at Danville Regional Rehab (Healthcare)

Members of the Area 31 Executive Leadership Council (1.1.C) and members of Program Advisory Committees (4.1.A) engage in formal and informal discussions throughout the year. A STEM Education Survey for Partners (4.1.B), and a separate standardized Advisory Committee report (4.1.C), must be completed at least one time per year by program partners. These activities provide valuable feedback for teachers and program administrators, and they help to drive decisions regarding program resources and program activities. They also document meaningful employer engagement, which is a requirement for all career centers who accept federal funding through the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V). Every two years, partners also participate in a Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment of local career and technical education programs. This process includes the collection of feedback via surveys as well as data analysis and discussions during a series of live meetings (4.1.D.)

100% of Area 31 Career Center students participate in quarterly career exploration activities. Career exploration is a required component of all Area 31 Career Center programs. Students research careers during scheduled Impact (student resource) periods using resources such as Naviance and Indiana Career Explorer. Additionally, regular program experiences engage students with STEM professionals through field trips (4.2.A), partnership days (4.2.B), Jr. Chamber of Commerce, mock interviews (4.2.C & 4.2.D), job fairs (4.2.E), continuing education fairs (4.2.F & 4.2.G), student competitions, mentorship programs, presentations to authentic audiences, and work-based learning. Students are also encouraged to off-campus events such as post-secondary and career fairs.

4.2.A Pharmacy Tech Fieldtrip to Eli Lilly & Company

Established community partners actively support the Area 31 Career Center STEM program through serving as Program Advisory Committee members, guest teachers, mock interviewers, competition judges, employers, etc. Established partners represent social service organizations, economic development groups, post-secondary representatives, and business and industry experts across all Area 31 Career Center content areas. The involvement of Area 31 Career Center community partners serves to guide programming, strengthen student engagement, provide information and feedback, and support professional networking. Five examples of active community partners include BMO Harris Bank (4.3.A), West Side Chamber of Commerce (4.3.A), Indiana University Health Careers Opportunity Partnership (4.3.B), IUPUI (4.3.C), and Westside Garden Plaza (4.3.C).

Area 31 Career Center offers a number of co-curricular experiences, extra curricular events, and student-supported STEM outreach activities. Outreach activities include presenting CTE pathways, and technologies such as robots (4.3.A) and laser printers, at community schools and local festivals. Area 31 Career Center students may also participate in First Robotics, eSports, ACE Mentorship (construction and engineering), culinary competitions, Super Mileage (4.4.B), evGrand Prix, and competitions hosted by CTSOs like FFA, HOSA, and Skills USA.

Students also engage community members and extend their learning through volunteerism (4.4.C), work-based learning placements, pharmacy externships, and CNA clinicals. Greater than 50% of students participate in extended learning activities on an ongoing basis, and the Area 31 Career Center team continues to organize extended learning opportunities for students. Currently, Area 31 Career Center is in the process of formalizing State Earn and Learn (SEAL) youth apprenticeship pathways in Advanced Manufacturing, Automotive Service, Health Science and HVAC. Career Pathways Specialists help to arrange work-based learning placements and monitor student growth toward agreed upon performance standards.

Area 31 Career Center is committed to advancing students in our community. The staff and students at Area 31 Career Center work hard to ensure that all students are aware of STEM learning opportunities and that they are able to make informed decisions that support their unique goals and interests (4.5.A.) In addition to hosting a strong social media presence, and mailing program brochures to every sophomore and junior in our eleven sending school area district, members of the Area 31 community participate in monthly outreach events. Over the past year, we have hosted or participated in events such as middle school tours, freshman career fairs (4.5.B), sophomore tours, partnership days (4.2.B), open houses, and elementary career days.

Area 31 Career Center provides more than three opportunities to inspire and inform underrepresented students of careers in stem fields. Participation in a Language Assistance Program (LAP) family nights, neighborhood association meetings, and local career fairs has promoted awareness among community members who are not yet involved with Area 31 Career Programs. Additionally, Area 31 Career Center has hosted meetings for student affinity groups (4.5.C) such as the local I Can Persist chapter which was organized in partnership with Indiana University and MSD Wayne Township to increase minority girls' interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics career fields.

Intentional efforts are taken to recruit and involve partners who represent the diverse demographics of our student population and our local community (4.5.D). Area 31 Career Center students are able to engage with successful community members who share characteristics similar to theirs in terms of gender, race, background, etc. The staff members at Area 31 Career Center believe that this intentionality promotes student motivation and an appreciation for others.

Diversity of demographic characteristics is represented among Area 31 Career Center student Ambassadors, in informational brochures, social media communications, course curricula, and school imagery. Regardless of one's background or personal characteristics, all students at Area 31 Career Center are welcomed, respected, and supported. We believe this is evidenced by the fact that our very diverse student population consistently performs above the state average in terms of graduation rates, dual credit attainment (4.5.E), and work-based learning participation.