The Ready for STEM initiative is a survey-based metric dashboard which aims to drive Newfoundland and Labrador’s investments in STEM-based programming and infrastructure over the next decade.
The Ready for STEM initiative leverages a collaborative approach and survey-based metric dashboard to allow partner organizations to align on common goals with measurable return on investment. On-going surveys are conducted within NLESD classrooms, using Google Forms, to determine students’ perception of, and performance in, STEM subjects. The results of the survey are prepared using Tableau Desktop for use during Ready for STEM Metric Meetings.
The committee of volunteers for the Ready for STEM initiative consists mostly of students from Memorial University currently studying STEM subjects. These students assist partner organizations with current investments in STEM-related programming through creation, promotion, and implementation of STEM content.
The Ready for STEM committee meetings occur after each survey administration. These meetings are to review survey results, discuss trends and decide upon strategic investments and improvements for the coming months.
The cost of province-wide implementation will be determined by conducting a pilot survey of 500 students within one region of the province. This pilot survey will be used to gauge the level of effort required to administer surveys province-wide and allow the Ready for STEM committee to select its initial metric set. Initial investments are strictly time-based, as Google Forms and Tableau Desktop have already been purchased for NLESD.