CAREER DAY is designed to support efforts to increase student interest and performance in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Career Day programs are designed to spark student interest in various STEM-related careers through virtual field trips into various days in the lives of our experts.
The series ties in student exercises or experiments relevant to the topics in order to make the experiences more tangible for students. Career Day guests give on-the-job examples of equipment or methodology used in their careers and talk about the STEM fields of study involved. Students are given information about the kinds of courses they would need to take in school if they were interested in pursuing careers in any of the fields.
We hope you and your students enjoy the programs. Please take a moment to complete program evaluation form. Your participation in the evaluation process is greatly appreciated.
Robotics - aired November 2009
The fourth installment features the exciting field of robotics. Students learn how robots transform the workplace and enhance our lives. The program shows how scientists at NASA designed the robotic rovers Spirit and Opportunity to explore Mars and how some students build and program their own LEGO robots. Students see how robotic technology is applied to medicine with a look at the da Vinci Surgical System, and we’ll meet Sprockit, a robot used for marketing and entertainment.
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Sustainability - aired April 2009
The third program in the series focuses on sustainability. Students will see how a civil engineer, environmental scientist, water restoration specialist, and others from The PBSJ Corporation are working together on a green building renovation of a community library; Waples Mill Elementary (VA) students will show their environmental stewardship; and students will be treated to a unique glimpse at top secret research being conducted at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech).
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Geographic Information Systems (GIS) - aired March 2009
The second program in the series focuses on careers using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Students learn how American Forests, a conservation organization, uses GIS to enable communities to promote healthy forest ecosystems; how the Alexandria City Police Department crime analysts use GIS to help police officers prevent crimes; and get a special sneak peek at George Mason University’s cutting edge scientific research utilizing GIS.
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Alternative Energy - aired January 2009
The first program in the series focuses on alternative energy and green design. Students get an up-close look at a working solar home with a one-of-a-kind tour from an energy efficiency engineer, go through an energy audit with an energy services consultant, and get a special peek at the research and development being conducted at the University of Maryland’s Energy Research Center.