OAR 581-017-0306: Establishment of Regional STEM Hubs

(1) The Regional STEM Hub Grant is established as part of the Connecting to the World of Work Program. (2) The purposes of these Regional STEM Hubs includes, but is not limited to: (a) Engage school districts, post-secondary institutions, student-focused nonprofit organizations, business and industry around common outcomes related to increasing students’ proficiency, interest, and attainment in science, technology, engineering and mathematics along with career and technical education. (b) Align STEM program activities and leverage State and local resources, both financial and human, around common student outcomes to advance the State 40/40/20 goals. (c) Address ongoing access, opportunity, interest, and attainment gaps for underserved and underrepresented students in STEM consistent with the Oregon Equity Lens. (d) Engage local communities to elevate the importance of STEM to the prosperity of individuals, and the local and state economy. (e) Promote effective instructional practices by providing professional learning opportunities and to support educators in ways that are consistent with the implementation of the Common Core State Standards and Oregon Science Standards. (f) Provide age-appropriate career exploration opportunities in STEM for students along the education continuum including career guidance, tours, and internships. (g) Expand effective STEM learning experiences for students both in and out of school. (h) Share knowledge, expertise, insights, and leadership to assist other communities in their efforts to create similar STEM partnerships. (i) Foster greater coherency across institutions to smooth student transitions and support services along education and career pathways. (j) Diminish the sense of academic isolation and silos, both locally and statewide. (k) Increase interactions of STEM practitioners with students and educators.