LANSING, Mich., Oct. 15, 2024 (Globe Newswire) — Learning Blade, a STEM career exploration platform for grades 5-9, is now available for free to Michigan educators. Learning Blade empowers students to solve real-world challenges through mission-based adventures, choosing from over 100 in-demand careers and technologies. This mission is designed to raise awareness of future workforce opportunities and connect everything from career awareness to academic relevance.
Michigan joins 12 other states with full access to Learning Blade.
“Without a doubt, students, especially rural students, benefit from having access to Learning Blade,” said Dr. Allen Pratt, executive director of the National Rural Education Association (NREA) in Chattanooga, Tennessee. . “Last year, students in our state completed more than 1.8 million STEM career missions through Learning Blade. Upon completion, 66% of students reported learning something about new careers in STEM, and 67% of students reported learning something about new careers in STEM. % said they learned something about technology.”
Due to rapid technological innovation, the demand for digitally savvy professionals in STEM fields is greater than ever. But Michigan employers face a difficult road finding qualified workers to fill approximately 338,000 STEM jobs over the next three years. Currently, nearly 90% of jobs in Michigan require digital skills, including jobs in priority sectors such as manufacturing, health care, and agriculture. In high demand are industry-specific skills and knowledge of construction and manufacturing software, electronic medical records software, SAS statistical software, and SAP.
“To address the shortage of workers with STEM skills, we need to reach students as early as possible, long before they enter high school,” said Jerry Wood, CEO of eDynamic Learning, the company behind Learning Blade. says Mr. “We are extremely proud to offer Learning Blade as a free resource to Michigan students, educators, and families because everyone should have the opportunity to dream big and reach their full potential. I think so.”
Research shows that the main reason students don’t pursue STEM careers is due to a lack of awareness. One study found that 42% of adults would have considered a career in STEM if they had a better understanding of the opportunities available.
“Middle school is the perfect time to develop an interest in STEM careers,” said Dr. June Taisan, Michigan Teacher of the Year, National Hall of Fame Educator, and CEO of InnovatED313. “Learning Blade allows educators to connect students with real-world opportunities and expand their future potential.”
After joining Learning Blade, research conducted by Battelle shows that 84% of students are more likely to want a job that involves designing or building things, and 59% are more likely to pursue a career in STEM I answered. Learning Blade also saw a 56% increase in students interested in taking advanced math classes in high school and a 55% increase in students who “strongly agreed” they were interested in a career in computer science.
To sign up for Learning Blade at your school, visit learningblade.com/MI.
Learning Blade is provided to Michigan schools through a collaboration between Submarine Industrial Base and the BlueForge Alliance (www.buildsubmarines.com).
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. Learning Blade focuses on grades 5-9 and develops 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. Supported. 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.
