Activity 1.1.5h Engineering Careers – Flowchart

Introduction

A person with a STEM career uses his or her knowledge of science, technology, engineering, andmath to help solve problems.Did you know that STEM graduates can find work as health care practitioners, teachers, farmers, engineers, managers, CEOs, and even writers or artists?

STEM careers are concentrated in the following fields:

  • Agriculture, Agricultural Operations, and Related Sciences
  • Computer and Informational Sciences and Support Services
  • Engineering and Engineering Technologies
  • Biological and PLTW Biomedical Sciences
  • Mathematics and Statistics
  • Physical Sciences and Technologies

Most STEM careers require years of education beyond high school. You can get ahead of the game by taking high school or vocational courses in PLTW, science, and math. This will improve your chances of finding work in a wide variety of industries or being accepted into the college of your choice. Do you know what STEM career you might be interested in pursuing? In this activity you will have a chance to research a STEM career of your choice.

One way to organize and present information is a concept map.In this activity you will create a concept map of a STEM career and present it to your class. Your concept map is due on ______.

Equipment

  • Gateway notebook
  • Reference materials
  • Computer with word processing and Internet capability

Procedure

In this activity you will investigatea STEM career. The concept map you will create (using Lucid Chart or similar program) will highlight the responsibilities, salary range, best location, education requirements, and future demands for this type of career.

  1. Brainstorm with your classmates as many types of STEM careers as you can while your teacher records them on the board.
  2. From the careers listed on the board, select a STEMcareer that you want to learn more about. Research the career on the Internetor through career books in your classroom, guidance office, or library.Take notes of the information you want to include in your concept map.
  3. Create a concept mapthat highlights the information that you collected on your career. Make sure toinclude the following.
  • What type of work do people in this career perform?
  • What is the current salary of this occupation?
  • What are the working conditions? Inside/Outside? Office/Plant/Lab?
  • What are the major job responsibilities?
  • Is there a demand for this job in the future?
  • What kind of education is needed for this type of work?
  • Name3-4 related careers.
  1. Present your concept map to the class and describe the STEM career that you researched.

Conclusion

  1. What impact do you think STEM professionals will have on your future?
  1. Do you think you’d be interested in pursuing a career in STEM? Why or why not?

©2011 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

PLTW Gateway – Introduction Activity 1.1.5h Engineering Careers – Flowchart– Page 1

Activity 1.1.5h – STEM Concept Map Grading Rubric

Topics / Weight / 4 points / 3 points / 2 points / 1 point
Content / Career chosen is obvious.
Includes all required information.
The information is accurate. / Career chosen is obvious.
Does not include 1-2 of the required topics.
The information included is accurate. / Career chosen is not obvious.
Does not address 2-3 of the required topics.
Some information lacks accuracy. / Career chosen is not evident.
Missing major details or inaccurate information.
Grammar/ Spelling / There are no grammar errors.
There are no spelling errors. / There are 1-2 grammar errors.
There are 1-2 spelling errors. / There are 3-4 grammar errors.
There are 3-4 spelling errors. / There are more than 4 grammar errors.
There are more than 4 spelling errors.
Organization / Concept map is easy to read and follows a logical sequence in the transfer of information. / Concept map is easy to read but does not follow a logical sequence in the transfer of information. / Concept map is not easy to read and does not follow a logical sequence in the transfer of information. / Concept map is difficult to read and lacks a logical sequence in the transfer of information.
Related Careers / Includes 3-4 appropriate related careers. / Includes 3-4 related careers that could be appropriate for chosen career. / Related careers included, but not appropriate for chosen career. Less than 3 related careers listed. / No related careers included.
Delivery / The presenter effectively and creatively delivers the information while staying on topic. The presenter appears relaxed and self-confident. Body language, voice modulation, and eye contact are effectively used. / The presenter adequately delivers the information while staying on topic. The presenter appears relaxed and self-confident. Body language, voice modulation, and eye contact are mostly appropriate. / The presenter delivers the information but does not stay on topic. The presenter appears tense or nervous. Body language, voice modulation, and eye contact are inappropriate or lacking. / The presenter omits important information and does not stay on topic. The presenter appears tense or nervous. Body language, voice modulation, and eye contact are inappropriate or lacking.

©2011 Lead The Project Way, Inc.

PLTW Gateway – Introduction Activity 1.1.5h STEM Careers – Concept Map Grading Rubric – Page 1