First Annual - Greater Cincinnati STEM Collaborative

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Butler County Educational Service Center Discover STEM Conference
As part of an initiative to expose students to potential career and higher education pathways, we are
sponsoring a Discover STEM Conference on Friday, October 9, 2015. This is a one-day conference
dedicated to igniting interest in fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
The conference is intended to give our young men and women an opportunity to:
 Speak with professionals who have excelled in math, science,
engineering, and technology careers.
 Meet with representatives from the various businesses and
educational institutions.
 Participate in interactive informational sessions.
 Learn from noted guest speakers.
Conference Description
The Discover STEM Conference will begin with a College and Career Fair featuring area businesses and
educational institutions that have a STEM focus. Students will then attend interactive STEM sessions/
workshops. The students will have a special luncheon and hear from a noted guest speaker. This day
will give the students exposure to many STEM careers including non-traditional STEM careers. The goal
of this conference is to make a positive difference in the lives of young men and women, especially as
they think about STEM-related careers.
The Conference Audience
There are close to 4,000 8th grade students in the nine Butler County School districts, we are
anticipating participation of 500 or more students at the conference. Each of the participating area
businesses and educational institutions will be invited to set up a booth for students to visit as well as
present an interactive learning session to small groups of 24 students or less. Our goal is to provide a
diverse mix of STEM exploration that will resonate with the individuality of each student's interests.
Risk/Opportunity
The greatest risks associated with the conference is financial. To ensure we do not fall short of our
sponsorship needs, we have engaged Dr. Dennis N. Ulrich, former Vice President at Cincinnati State,
to identify potential organizations who would benefit by supporting this conference.
Planning Team
The conference planning team is led by Dr. Ulrich, who will be working closely with Curriculum
Supervisor, Georgine Bowman. Georgine joined BCESC after working as a curriculum specialist at Winton
Woods Local Schools for seven years. During her time with Winton Woods, Georgine held three STEM
conference for 100 district 9th graders.
Butler County Educational Service Center
Discover STEM Conference
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Additional BCESC team members include:
 Marketing & Event Planner, Jennifer Seifert
 Grant project secretary, Melanie Fry
 Curriculum & Technology Specialist, Dave Clark
 Curriculum Specialist, Mary Snellgrove
Financial Requirements
For the Discover STEM Conference are seeking financial support to offset the cost and enable us to
provide the conference to Butler County 8th graders at no cost to them or their school districts.
The funds will be spent on:
 Conference items for the students (T-shirts, Lanyards, String Backpacks)
 Conference Programs
 Lunches for the students and attending participants
 Marketing
 Conference Signage
 Raffle Items
Butler County Educational Service Center
Butler County Educational Service Center (BCESC) serves as the central educational and service resource
for schools, government agencies, families, children and the community. We provide educational
programs, staffing services, professional development, and multi-faceted family services from prenatal
through high school that promote achievement and improve the quality of life for families and children.
We are a visionary, premier, inclusive organization that supports world-class learning through leadership
and collaboration. Our mission is to provide exemplary services to improve learning so that children can
lead successful lives.
BCESC Services Include:
 Educational programs and services, professional development, and multi-faceted family services
for children ages prenatal through high school.
 Leadership and support in the areas of administration in the form of management, and
consultation to school districts.
 Staffing service of specially trained professionals and technology support for school districts.
BCESC Programs Include:
 Audiology
 Academic portion of the Alternative Education Programs of Union Day School
 Butler County Success
 Curriculum and Professional Development
 Early Head Start
 Head Start
 Help Me Grow
 Kinship Navigator
 Public School Preschool Programs
 Special Education Preschool Programs
 Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy
 Therapeutic Interagency Preschool
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