About the Program

The STEM Forward research pilot program will help you achieve a  National Career Readiness Certificate and Digital Badging through the ACT WorkKeys process, which includes access to an online curriculum and assessment exams. 

In addition, our fee-free program also provides stipends to allow you to learn about applied math, graphic literacy, and workplace documents at your own pace—anywhere using a world-class online tutorial. Bring the learning home through hands-on activities during the Pre-Engineering Project Lead The Way course. With cool activities that allow career exploration and college prep activities, you can make more of your experience. 

The program includes enrichment activities, such as speaking with experts in the field, taking an all-expense-paid field trip to tour the historic grounds and up-to-date facilities of the WVSU campus, speaking with faculty and admissions representatives, or getting referrals to education services of your choice. 

Again, join us to earn your WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certification (NCRC) and obtain Digital badges by taking the ACT online tutorials, hands-on activities, and an embedded math course to prepare for the ACT NCRC assessment. Don't forget you will also go on a field trip, receive stipends when you reach benchmarks, and celebrate your achievements at a graduation event. 

Interested?  Read on.

To gain a WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certification (NCRC) with the STEM Forward research pilot program (no fee, stipends provided), the attendant must fully participate in all components of the program: 

1. Participate in the 'in-person' orientation, which includes a pre-survey.

2. Participate in the ACT WorkKeys Online Course Curriculum, including content, materials, and quizzes. This includes completing a placement quiz for each subject, reviewing the lesson, taking the practice questions, and taking the level quiz.

3. Participants will participate in in-person activities and an embedded math class.

4. Take the NRCR assessment, followed by a program survey.

5. Go on the WVSU tour, which includes lunch and a math grab bag.

6. Enjoy your success with a recognition ceremony in your honor.

A little bit more information on the curriculum for the NCRC.

• Program participants will get an ACT WorkKeys account to complete the coursework online in the ACT WorkKeys portal. If the participant does not have a laptop or other device, speak to the program contact.

• Participants must participate in hands-on activities to prepare for the NCRC Assessment Exam during class.

• Students will begin with the Applied Math curriculum, Graphic Literacy, and Workplace Documents. Depending on aptitude, students should expect to invest 20-40 hours online for each subject.  

  • • For Applied Math, students will take the online course, including quizzes, and participate in hands-on activities (e.g., lab days) on certain days to prepare for the end-of-unit "quiz."

    • For Graphic Literacy and Workplace Documents, after going through the curriculum, quizzes, and taking the end-of-unit "test," if it reveals an issue, on certain days, again participate in hands-on activities (lab days) to help address the gap, then re-take the end-of-unit quiz.

• After completing all the units, quizzes, and practice tests, the program participant will be scheduled to take the assessment.

To participate, a person must be

1. 16 years of age or older enrolled in the ACT Engineering Math course.

2. Have access to wifi (if you do not, please advise us)

3. Fill out an application/registration, provide IRB consent, and agree to complete the program to the best of your ability. This includes affirming the time and ability to participate in the online course (up to 40 hours per subject or 10 hours per week).