Workforce & Innovation News
January 2020

#TrendingNow
Innovate WithIN Competition Now Open!
Applications for the 2020 Innovate WithIN Competition are now open! Students prepare a business idea and then pitch their venture to a panel of judges for a chance to win a $10,000 scholarship. Applications are due February 7, 2020. Additional information can be found here.
Digital Learning Day is February 27, 2020! Soon the map will be full of thousands of DLDay events in schools, libraries, across districts and states. If you will be celebrating DLDay on February 27, add your event to the map today to mark your spot. Indiana celebrates Digital Learning Month in February in connection with National Digital Learning Day. See what educators and administrators LOVE about digital learning in the Hoosier state!
The Design It Make It Challenge invites teams of K-12 students from around Indiana to solve real-world problems by designing, building, and/or coding a solution to issues identified in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Additional information can be found here.
Indiana Pacers STEM Fest
The Pacers STEM Fest presented by The Lilly Foundation is on February 1, 2020 at Bankers LIfe Fieldhouse. During STEM Fest, you and your family will have fun discovering STEM through hands-on activities with local Indiana corporations, universities, and non-profit organizations. Get a glimpse into how the Indiana Pacers use STEM in sports. Find more information and register here.
STEM + CS
STEM School Certification
The IDOE Workforce and Innovation team has been working with the State’s STEM Leadership Cadre to update the STEM School Certification process, including the STEM School Evaluation Rubric. This work will more closely align the STEM Certification process with the Indiana STEM Six Year Strategic Plan and make the process more rigorous and objective.
Access the 2019-2020 STEM School Certification Guide here and the updated rubric here. A webinar explaining the application process here. Contact Dr. Christy Hilton, STEM Specialist, with questions.
Call for K-12 Science Teachers
The Indiana Department of Education is continuing Phase II of the Science Framework. In cooperation with the Hoosier Association of Science Teachers, Inc., we will focus on the Engineering Process Standards. We need your help! If you are a K-12 science teacher interested in sharing your expertise, please register at this this link. You can earn up to six PGP points for participation. The deadline to register is January 31, 2020.
We will work at the Indiana State Museum on the following dates:
- K-5: February 25, 2020, 9:30 AM -3:00 PM, EST
- 6-8: March 2, 2020, 9:30 AM -3:00 PM, EST
- 9-12: March 3, 2020, 9:30 AM -3:00 PM, EST
Please note that there is a $5 parking fee for the day, however, you will have the opportunity to tour the museum at no additional cost.We will contact you in early February with further details.
Thank you for your willingness to help!
The CS pages on the IDOE website have gotten a facelift! Check them out here: https://www.doe.in.gov/wf-stem/computer-science. Contact Jake Koressel with questions or suggestions!
Growing your Computer Science Program
In this webinar, recorded on December 3, 2019, computer science teachers from across all grade levels shared their experiences related to expanding computer science programs in their districts.
Digital Learning
eLearning Day Implementation Resources
Is your district ready to implement eLearning Days? Check out these newly created resources and assurances to help in determining the readiness of your district to employ eLearning days with fidelity. Contact Jennifer Watson, Senior Digital Learning Specialist, with questions or for additional assistance.
IDOE - Digital Learning Conference Series
Seven redesigned, one-day learning experiences in 2020
High-quality PD for digital teaching and learning
Content from IDOE specialists and Indiana leaders
Just $20 for Indiana teachers and administrators
Save the Date!
June 3 - Lafayette
June 4 - Fishers
June 9 - Hammond
June 11 - New Haven
July 7 - Jasper
July 23 - Scottsburg
August 6 - South Bend
Visit https://www.doe.in.gov/wf-stem/reboot to learn more!
We are preparing for our winter/spring book club. Stay tuned for an announcement of the title and start date. If you have a suggestion for a book you would like us to read for the book club, email Meri Carnahan
Upcoming Grant Deadlines!
Digital Learning / Community Advisory Grant Opportunity
The Indiana Department of Education is excited to launch the 2019-2020 Digital Learning/Community Advisory Grant. Funding will be made available on a competitive basis for districts to strategically develop a plan for technology integration into the classroom. Additional information can be found here. Please contact Ben Carter with questions. January 24, 2020 - Grant Application DueWorkforce and Innovation Professional Learning Opportunities
STEM Project-Based Learning Training
We are inviting you to nominate up to two certified staff members to participate in our second cohort of certified Ford NGL STEM PBL trainers. This training begins June 2020 and continues through Summer 2021. Please nominate up to two certified staff members (preferably one elementary and one secondary) using this nomination form by Friday, January 24. Nomination does not guarantee selection. Additional information can be found here.
CodeHS Curriculum and Professional Development
Through funding from IDOE, CodeHS will be offering free professional development for Indiana public and charter high school teachers during the summer of 2020. Opportunities will be available for teachers who are new to computer science, as well as those preparing to teach CS I, CS II, CS III: Cybersecurity, AP Computer Science Principles, and AP Computer Science A. To learn more and indicate your interest in participating, click here. For questions, contact Jake Koressel.
Applications Open for Code.org Professional Development Programs
Applications are now open for middle and high school educators interested in participating in professional development related to Code.org Computer Science Discoveries or Code.org Computer Science Principles. For more information and to apply, click here. Contact Jake Koressel with questions..
Girls Who Code Club Affiliation
When applying to start your Girls Who Code Club, you must indicate your affiliation with Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) on the application to ensure you receive community partner funding. If you are unsure if your club is officially affiliated with IDOE, please contact Poonam Gill, Indiana’s Partnership Coordinator at Girls Who Code.Upcoming webinar - Is Gen Z Workforce Ready? Free Tools to Teach SEL, Employability Skills, Career Exploration, and More
What does it take to equip students with the critical life skills they need to thrive beyond the classroom? EVERFI's digital resources focus on these essential skills, including financial literacy, college and career readiness, social skills, mental wellness, bullying, substance abuse prevention, and more. The free, online lessons are aligned to Indiana's employability skills, SEL, and counseling competencies. In our next eLearning Lab webinar at 4pm eastern on Tuesday, January 21, join EVERFI senior schools manager Kaley Esselborn and local Indiana teachers as they share how they've incorporated the courses into their classrooms and offer best practices for successful implementation. Attendees will be given access to resources they can start using with students immediately, plus ongoing technical and curriculum support. Click here to register for this webinar.
Innovation Spotlight
Do you know someone who deserves recognition for innovative educational practices? Tell us about them in this nomination form.
Congratulations
IDOE Department of Workforce and Innovation recipients of the 2020 STEM Acceleration Grant!
Cohort 3
Anderson Preparatory Academy
Avon Community School Corporation
Brownstown Central Community School Corporation
Christel House Academy
Community School Corporation of Southern Hancock County
Culver Community Schools Corporation
Delaware Community School Corporation
East Noble School Corporation
Edinburgh Community School Corporation
Greater Clark County Schools
Greenfield-Central Community School Corporation
Greensburg Community School Corporation
Indiana Math and Science Academy West
Jac-Cen-Del Community School Corporation
Jennings County School Corporation
Matchbook Learning Schools of Indiana
Mitchell Community School
MSD of Mount Vernon
MSD of North Posey County
MSD of Pike Township
North Harrison Community Schools
Northeast School Corporation
Plainfield Community School Corporation
Salem Community Schools
South Dearborn Community School Corporation
South Vermillion Community School Corporation
Southwest Dubois County School Corporation
Tri-County School Corporation
Victory College Prep Academy
Warsaw Community Schools
Washington Community Schools
Wawasee Community School Corporation
Whitko Community School Corporation
Yorktown Community School
Cohort 4
Randolph Eastern School Corporation
Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation
South Central Community School Corporation
Barr-Reeve Community Schools
MSD of Lawrence Township
LaPorte Community School Corporation
Lafayette School Corporation
Richland-Bean Blossom Community School Corporation
Milan Community School Corporation
Maconaquah School Corporation
South Bend Community School Corp
South Ripley Community Schools
Irvington Community School
North Daviess Com Schools
School City of Hammond
West Clark Community Schools
Indianapolis STEAM Academy
Covington Community School Corporation
Gary Community School Corp
Liberty-Perry Community Schools
Monroe County Community School Corporation
Greater Jasper Consolidated Schools
Crawford County Community School Corporation
IDOE Workforce and Innovation Team
Benjamin Carter
Director of Workforce and Innovation
Jake Koressel
Computer Science Specialist
Christy Hilton, Phd
STEM Specialist
Jennifer Watson
Senior Digital Learning Specialist
Meri Carnahan
Learning Resources Specialist
Elizabeth Sutton
Project Coordinator