SOUTHLAKE, Texas, Oct. 8, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Learning Blade, a STEM career exploration platform for grades 5-9, announces the launch of its new mission, “Beneath the Waves: Building Submarines.” did. Address severe labor shortages. The manufacturing and engineering-focused curriculum is now available to educators and students through Learning Blade. This includes 13 states where access is fully funded: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Southern Carolina, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.
U.S. manufacturing is facing a massive talent shortage. Four million manufacturing jobs are likely to be needed over the next decade, with 2.1 million expected to go unfilled. The U.S. submarine industry alone will need to hire 140,000 skilled workers over the next 10 years to meet the Navy’s growing demand for submarines. Learning Blade’s mission-based approach helps address this crisis by introducing students to more than 100 STEM careers and sparking interest in critical industries like naval manufacturing.
Jerry Wood, CEO of Learning Blade’s parent company, EDynamic Learning, said: “The state of the industrial workforce is in crisis, and employers are looking to hire qualified employees with the technical skills they need to grow their businesses. They are desperately trying to find workers.” “By introducing students to in-demand STEM careers, state leaders and district governments are introducing young talent to important industries and paving the way for tomorrow’s workforce.”
This submarine mission is the result of a unique partnership between the Navy, BlueForge Alliance (a nonprofit integrator supporting the U.S. Navy’s Submarine Industrial Base Program initiative), and Learning Blade. Together, they created a curriculum that promotes STEM career awareness, demonstrates academic relevance, and fosters interest in submarine manufacturing, an industry essential to national security.
“In the classroom, students often ask, ‘Will we ever need this in real life?'” said Dr. Carrie Curtis, education program project manager for the Maritime Industrial Infrastructure Program Office. By integrating a variety of content and engaging with real-world challenges, students are exposed to new technologies and career possibilities at a pivotal stage in their personal development, allowing them to take charge of their future educational paths. Masu. This strategy is essential to ensuring the security of our country. Stay competitive and ready to meet future workforce needs. ”
In the “Below the Waves: Building a Submarine” mission, students imagine they are part of the Young Submarine Program, a special project launched by the Navy. Their adventure begins with a trip to the World War II Museum to see an old submarine called the USS Razorback. Throughout the mission, students learn about different roles in submarine construction, including naval architects, marine engineers, welders, and quality control inspectors. The program concludes with students presenting their designs to a fictional Navy program director and demonstrating their understanding of modern manufacturing techniques.
Research shows that lack of awareness is the main reason students don’t pursue STEM careers. A recent survey found that 42% of adults would have considered a STEM career if they had a better understanding of the opportunities available. After using Learning Blade, 84% of students said they were more likely to pursue a career in design or construction, and 59% said they were more likely to pursue a career in STEM, according to a study conducted by Battelle .
With support from the U.S. Navy and BlueForge Alliance, the Beneath the Waves: Building Submarines mission is available to schools with access to the Learning Blade.
To sign up for Learning Blade at your school, visit your state’s sign-up page at learningblade.com/states.
About Learning Blade
Learning Blade, powered by eDynamic Learning, is a digital platform that inspires students to explore and consider career paths in STEM, computer science, and CTE. The platform offers more than 400 lessons aligned to state standards and helps educators incorporate hands-on, project-based learning into their curriculum. Focusing on students in grades 5-9, Learning Blade develops a passion for future careers in important industries. Visit learningblade.com
About e-dynamic learning
eDynamic Learning is a company founded as a classroom teacher and dedicated to supporting educators with unbiased and accessible learning materials as they prepare learners for life after the classroom. I’m doing it. We provide teachers and programs that help students explore their interests and career options, gain skills through career and technical education (CTE), and develop life readiness skills such as interpersonal communication and financial literacy. We support you. We are proud of the fact that our solutions and services are designed to support educators who guide students on transformative journeys of inquiry, engage them in learning, and enable them to participate in real-world experiences. I am. Visit edynamiclearning.com
About the BlueForge Alliance
BlueForge Alliance (BFA) is a nonprofit defense industrial base integrator that supports the U.S. Navy’s submarine industrial base efforts and efforts to strengthen and sustain the maritime manufacturing sector. BFA is a critical partner in the Navy SIB program’s mission to ensure industry has the capability, capacity, and resiliency to build and sustain America’s next-generation undersea platforms. BFA’s headquarters are located in Bryan/College Station, Texas. For more information, please visit www.BlueForgeAlliance.us.
