STEM and our future transportation leaders.
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2016-02-10
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Abstract:Between 2012 to 2022, 40 to 50 percent of the transportation workforce is expected to
retire taking valuable knowledge with them. State Departments of Transportation (DOT)
are expected to play a significant role in replenishing the workforce pipeline by raising
awareness about transportation careers, providing internship and apprenticeship
opportunities, supporting workforce development programs and research, implementing
mentoring programs for new workers and emerging leaders, and supporting partnerships
with education and workforce organizations. STEM development is considered a critical
priority in the state of Georgia and the nation at large to preserve science and technology
efficacy and promote economic competitiveness. This report reviews state DOT involvement in transportation‐related science, technology, engineering and mathematics
(STEM) outreach programs and identifies opportunities to engage kindergarten through
high school (K‐12) students in STEM programs to enhance their interest in the
transportation field. Both theory and empirical evidence show that STEM has academic
and behavioral benefits, and that students exposed to STEM are more likely to choose a
career in STEM. Information on DOT involvement in STEM programs was gathered from
the literature, DOT and other websites; a targeted online survey administered to DOTs
and University Transportation Centers that have hosted STEM outreach programs; and
semi‐structured phone interviews conducted with selected survey respondents to gather
additional information on their programs. Results show that over 40% of state DOTs are
involved in K‐12 STEM outreach programs: most commonly residential or non‐residential
summer programs, teacher training and curriculum development programs, internship
and shadow opportunities, one‐day STEM awareness events, and periodic employee visits
to schools to present on transportation‐STEM. A business case analysis conducted shows
that agencies will benefit from including both longer‐term and shorter‐term alternatives
in their STEM programming to cultivate STEM efficacy and build long‐term relationships
with a smaller percentage of students while increasing STEM awareness broadly among K‐
12 students. Such strategic programming will contribute to developing a pool of students
for future recruitment to replenish the transportation workforce, while enhancing STEM
culture within the agency.
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