Cultivating STEM

Carbon Schuylkill Luzerne Wayne and Pike STEM Ecosystem

Cultivating STEM Learning and Workforce Preparation.

Francine Kluck, CSLWP STEM Coordinator

Email: fkluck@lccc.edu
Website: www.cslstem.org
Phone: (570)751-8164
Twitter: @stemcsl

The CSLWP STEM Ecosystem works collaboratively within Carbon, Schuylkill, Luzerne, Wayne, and Pike Counties to promote STEM opportunities for ALL students and arm them with 21st Century employability skills. Ecosystem members represent K-12 schools, career and technical schools, colleges/universities, public libraries, local businesses/industries, after school programs, elected officials, local workforce boards, and community organizations.

Governor Tom Wolf announced $10.8 million in PAsmart advancing grants will be distributed to multiple partnerships across Pennsylvania to help support quality educational opportunities and experiences to K-12 students in computer science and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math).

The CSLWP (Carbon, Schuylkill, Luzerne, Wayne, & Pike) STEM Ecosystem is excited to announce it is one of the 26 recipients and awarded $500,000.

CSLWP STEM Ecosystem received support from schools across the Northeast to participate in a PA SMART Advancing Grant that centered on makerspaces for grades K-8. Our goal was to cultivate a regional approach to hands-on, inquiry-based Computer Science (CS) and STEM education by developing a “Model Makerspace Roadmap,” establishing model CS and STEM makerspaces, and then using those spaces as permanent learner centers for your students and for teacher professional development. Governor's full press release here.

The grant had many components, including:

• Development of a guide for any school to create a K-8 makerspace within their school

• Fund the creation of model makerspaces

• A series of modules that will give teachers in all CSLWP Ecosystem schools in-depth guidance on setting up a makerspace and use of the equipment to enhance student learning in CS and STEM.

This initiative builds an ecosystem with 38 school districts and SHINE OST programs to promote CS and STEM education. The partners are cultivating a regional approach to hands-on, inquiry-based CS/STEM education by developing a "Model Makerspace Roadmap," establishing 11 model CS and STEM makerspaces that can serve as spaces for teacher professional development.

The Luzerne Intermediate Unit 18 will be grant administrator. Lehigh Carbon Community College aided in grant development along with the support of the CSLWP STEM Ecosystem members.

Since 1915, Diamond Manufacturing Company has been providing original equipment manufacturers (OEM’s), job shops, and architectural firms with quality perforated material. Our expert, knowledgeable staff draws from over 100 years industry knowledge to help design, produce and fabricate quality perforated metal products that meet precise specifications.

To satisfy the varying needs of our customers, Diamond invests in tooling and machinery that can perforate more than 2,000 patterns, produce material in tolerances tighter than industry standard, and offer sheet, coil, tube, fabricated, or finished product. This high level of manufacturing versatility allows Diamond to expertly satisfy a wide range of requirements. Our manufacturing facilities utilize state of the art equipment to provide industries with products that are seen in our daily lives: school bus headliners, microwaves, commercial building air conditioners, speaker grills, washer & dryer drums…..just to mention a few.

Diamond is the largest perforated metal manufacturer in North America. Headquartered in Wyoming, PA, Diamond has facilities in Rhode Island, Wisconsin, Indiana, Tennessee, and North Carolina. Family owned and operated until 2010, when acquired by Reliance Steel and Aluminum, the largest steel distribution company in the US.

Throughout our plants, we have over 50 perforating presses, 10 turret presses, 10 press brakes, 6 laser cutting machines, along with dozens of other work centers that require skilled technicians to operate. Beyond the operation of the equipment, we have a full staff of expert machinists, maintenance technicians and engineers working every day to help us succeed. Our average employee tenure is over twenty years, and there are many families who have had multiple generations work for Diamond. Our equipment is very specialized and specific to our industry. It is not common to have applicants with experience. We take great pride in finding the right people with the right qualities to join the Diamond family, our most valuable asset - our employees.

We have tours of our facility through ‘Teacher in the Workplace’ for students of interest in our manufacturing. We also have offered apprenticeship programs for individuals to explore the possible careers in engineering, production, manufacturing, fabrication and quality. These programs promote working with a team, communication skills, educating skilled technical positions and the desire to learn.

For possible employment opportunities in engineering, warehousing, sales, accounting and operations, please visit our website @ www.diamondman.com

Wishing you all the best!

Diamond Manufacturing Company

The DaVinci Science Center is a local leader in bringing STEM to life. Located in Allentown, PA, this museum and experience center is a great place for a visit to inspire youth in their pursuit of all things STEM, and they are currently open with reservations required. Click here to learn more about DaVinci Science Center or plan a visit.

Even if you can't make it there, you can experience some great STEM ideas at home. Check out Science at Home with DaVinci Science Center.

Through a grant effort partnered with the PA Department of Labor & Industry, Pocono Workforce Investment Board, Lehigh Carbon Community College, and Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit 21, schools districts in Carbon County were able to receive 3D printers and teacher professional development in using these printers. Even in altered schedules, these printers are already hard at work printing projects that allow students to practice engineering, technology, and creativity.

Based on data from the Pocono and Luzerne Schuylkill Workforce Investment Boards,

• The average annual salary for employment across all fields is $43,191. Across STEM fields that make up nearly 40% of jobs in the region, the average salary is $55,776. These fields include manufacturing, information management, finance, health care, professional and technical services, and construction.
• The average starting salaries for all fields of employment in the CSLWP region is $22,040. For STEM fields, the starting salary is $37,486.
• Top employers in STEM fields in our region include: Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Wilkes Barre Hospital Company, Aventis Pasteur, Saint Luke's Hospital, and Lehigh Valley Hospital.