STEM Pathways
STEM Pathways
STEM Pathways is an extension of The Tech Academies program working with cross-sector partners to collectively develop impactful career exploration resources and experiences that will give youth from backgrounds underrepresented in STEM fields the opportunity to connect with mentors, build social capital, envision themselves in and pursue STEM careers.
Overview
The STEM Pathways Committee is made up of nearly 50 members from diverse community sectors including industry, higher education, K-12 formal and informal education and STEM-rich organizations who are passionate about closing the opportunity gap in Silicon Valley. We began this work in 2018 with a goal of ensuring all students in local communities most impacted by systemic inequities have continuous access to high quality STEM learning to prepare them for local STEM careers.
In 2021, we shifted our work toward community listening with youth, parents/caregivers and other community members from local communities least represented in STEM fields to inform the design of a STEM career pathways center scheduled to open in 2028.
Steering committee members meet five to six times each year and commits to supporting inclusive R&D experiments to help to:
- Answer collective questions
- Make career pathway program recommendations
- Inform partners and the field of key findings
- Co-develop and disseminate practical career exploration resources
Advisory level members commit to attend three meetings to provide input and advice on experiment designs, draft resources and strategic documents. They may also support the work by leveraging key connections to the work.
These individuals donate their time and energy to making our community a place that fosters home-grown talent and diversifies the face of innovation in Silicon Valley.
A key tool that the STEM Pathways Steering Committee has co-created and updates each year is 8 Elements of STEM Preparation, which summarizes key skills and experiences that are critical to industry and informed by Next Generation Science Standards, California Computer Science Standards, California Math Framework and Linked Learning’s Work-Based Learning Continuum.
Learn How Your Organization Might Participate
STEM Pathways Partners
- STEM Pathways Steering Committee *Work group co-chairs Andrea Manjarrez, The Tech Interactive/ San José State University Amanda Otte, San José Public Library/City of San José Angelica Mata, Ret. Science and Math/ Pre-Health Advisor Clarissa Buettner, The Tech Interactive Heather Samson, Julia Baldwin Elementary/OGSD Hoi Poon, Silicon Valley Youth Climate Action Jahsve Worthy, Silicon Valley Education Foundation Jamie Alea, San José State University Joel Soriano Barragan, The Tech Interactive/ San José State University Kendra Watkins, Camp EDMO *Lauren Foote, Synopsys Outreach Foundation Maria Sparagna Drake, Envisioneers *Michaela Yamashita, The Tech Interactive Philip Gonsalves, Curated Pathways to Innovation Purvinder Soor, Silicon Valley Education Foundation Rachel Steger, Science from Scientists *Rebecca Balster, Ocala STEAM Academy/Alum Rock Union School District Rick Rafey, Silicon Valley Education Foundation Yessica Ramirez, Latina in STEM
- Advisory Members Abbey Thompson, Stanford Genetics Alexandra Williams, Silicon Valley Education Foundation\ Audrey Diaz, Alum Rock School District Carmina Minardi, STEM From LLC Dana Richards, Santa Clara County Office of Education David Palter, Silicon Valley Leadership Group Emily Dilger, Ignited Gabriela Chairez, William C. Overfelt High School/ESUHSD Janeth Canseco, MESA Engineering Program, SJSU Jessica Garrison, Juniper Systems Jim Vanides, vanides2.com Josselin Villegas-Gomez, San José Conservation CorpsJulie Mason, United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Kendra Fujino O'Donoghue, Envision Your Pathway Lori Silverman, Ohlone College Mara Wold, Region 5 Expanded Learning Partnerships/MCOE Marnie Mar, Society of Women Engineers- Santa Clara Valley Mera Burton, Valley Water Monique Melchor, Work2Future/San José Works Nabil Shanin, DataZone/Santa Clara County Office of Education Pratibha Adamo, The Tech Interactive Sherry Burch, The Tech Interactive Virginia Lehmkuhl-Dakhwe, San José State University Vito Chiala, Overfelt High School/East Side Union HSD