Why a stand along program?
The STEM Forward research pilot program, if ran as a stand along program, could help students 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, being implemented as a fee-free program could prompt a wide range of students to learn about applied math, graphic literacy, and workplace documents at their own pace -anywhere using a world-class online tutorial. They could bring the learning home through hands-on activities during lab days at our local facility and weekly online Office Hours. With cool icebreakers and activities that allow career exploration and college prep activities, they could make more of the experience.
The program, when implemented as planned includes enrichment activities, such as speaking with experts in the field, taking a field trip to tour the historic grounds and up-to-date facilities of the WVSU campus where students would speak with faculty and admissions representatives, and referrals to education services of your choice.
What should be involved?
To gain a WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certification (NCRC) with the STEM Forward research pilot program (no fees), the attendant must fully participate in all five components of the program:
Participate in the 'in-person' orientation, which includes a pre-survey.
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.
Participants will participate in in-person activities while attending a "lab day." They will choose from the activities available during the lab day theme that will best assist them in learning.
Participate as needed during the math class ‘office hours’ to ask questions and fellowship with classmates.
Take the NRCR assessment, followed by a program survey.
Go on the WVSU tour, which includes lunch and a math grab bag for each student
Enjoy success with a recognition ceremony in the students' honor.
What is the ACT Online Curriculum Course?
A little bit more information on the curriculum for the NCRC.
Program participants could 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, they should speak to the program contact.
Participants should participate in hands-on activities to prepare for the NCRC Assessment Exam during class.
Students should also 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.
What is involved with the ACT NCRC Assessment?
The Applied Math assessment measures critical thinking, mathematical reasoning, and problem-solving techniques for situations in today’s workplace. While individuals may use calculators and conversion tables to help with the problems on the assessment, math skills are still needed to think them through.
Number of items: 34
Method of delivery: Online and Paper
Test length: 55 minutes
Time Commitment for Online Curriculum
Time Commitment for Lab Days
Time Commitment for Other Days
The NRCR exam is proctored on-site.
The Graphic Literacy assessment measures individuals' reading skills and comprehension of graphical materials to solve work-related problems. Workplace graphics come in a variety of formats, but all communicate a level of information. From charts to graphs, diagrams to floor plans, identifying what information is being presented and understanding how to use it are critical to success.
Number of items: 38
Test length: 55 minutes
Time Commitment for Online Curriculum
Time Commitment for Lab Days
Time Commitment for Other Days
The Workplace Documents assessment measures skills that individuals use when they read actual workplace documents and use that information to make job-related decisions and solve problems. The documents include messages, emails, letters, directions, signs, bulletins, policies, websites, contracts, and regulations.
Number of items: 35
Method of delivery: Online and Paper
Test length: 55 minutes
Time Commitment for Online Curriculum
Time Commitment for Lab Days
Time Commitment for Other Days
How should someone participate with the program?
To participate, a person should be
16 years of age or older enrolled in the ACT Engineering Math course.
Have access to Wi-Fi (if they do not, have them advise so you can give them a hardcopy of the workbooks)
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) and lab days.