STEM Outreach Solutions
In today’s rapidly evolving world, the need for skilled professionals in the field of engineering has never been more pressing. According to 2022 statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for engineering jobs is expected to grow by 4% from 2020 to 2030, resulting in approximately 110,000 new jobs in various engineering disciplines. Careers in engineering have median salaries that range from $80,000 to $120,000 annually, depending on the specialization and experience according to 2022 data from the American Society of Civil Engineers.
In Florida, addressing workforce development in transportation is crucial, particularly considering the need for a skilled workforce to support the state's growing infrastructure demands. AASHTO’s STEM Outreach Solutions program aims at inspiring the next generation of engineers and innovators and aligns with the FDOT compass.
Focused on Florida's needs, this initiative is part of a comprehensive pipeline aimed at cultivating the transportation workforce, particularly emphasizing the importance of a robust transportation sector and civil engineering. STEM Outreach Solutions has devised hands-on educational modules geared towards introducing students to the diverse array of careers in transportation. These modules also emphasize civil engineering, an integral aspect of Florida's infrastructure development.
If you would like bring STEM Outreach Solutions to your school, please send an email to: Alison.Stettner@dot.state.fl.us or April.Combs@dot.state.fl.us
AASHTO STEM Outreach Solutions Program Fast Facts
STEM Brochure
Elementary Focused Learning through Roadways Into Developing Elementary Students (RIDES)
The "Roadways Into Developing Elementary Students (RIDES)" module caters to Pre-K–8 education. Teachers undergo two days of immersive training to help integrate the program into the classroom. The curriculum aligns with Math and Science Standards, focusing on units such as Transportation and Energy, Roadway Geometry, Humans and Nature, and Designing Ways. These units offer students engaging adventures that intertwine transportation with math and science concepts, fostering skills like classification, sequencing, measuring, graphing, predicting, inferring, and experimenting.
By establishing this pipeline and emphasizing workforce development in transportation, STEM Outreach Solutions aims to cultivate a skilled workforce equipped to meet Florida's evolving infrastructure needs, ensuring sustainable growth and prosperity for the state.
For more information about the RIDES program and teacher training opportunities, please email: Alison.Stettner@dot.state.fl.us or April.Combs@dot.state.fl.us
Middle and High School Focused Learning
To ensure effective implementation, teachers from 7th to 12th grade in Florida participate in customized hands-on training sessions. These sessions immerse educators in self-contained modules centered around civil engineering and transportation, equipped with professionally curated curricula aligned with national learning standards.
The nine modules cover a spectrum of topics essential for transportation careers:
Each of the middle and high school modules contains all the necessary materials for instruction. Because the units are self-contained, teachers can use individual units relevant to their own curriculum. Within each unit, students work in groups to complete self-directed activities, with teachers acting as facilitators rather than lecturers. These hands-on, team-based activities teach students how to apply things they've learned in school and prepare them for real-world scenarios.
For more information about the middle and high school modules, please email: Alison.Stettner@dot.state.fl.us or April.Combs@dot.state.fl.us
Request STEM Module and Training
STEM Outreach Solutions provides a variety of educational materials and training opportunities to support teachers and students in learning about transportation and engineering. If you are an educator or organization interested in obtaining materials or scheduling training, please click below.
Request STEM Module and Training
Request a Volunteer for a STEM Activity
Are you hosting a STEM event or activity and need a transportation professional to engage with students? FDOT and AASHTO STEM Outreach Solutions offer volunteer opportunities for industry professionals to participate in educational events. If you would like to request a volunteer for your STEM activity, please click below.