What is Authentic STEM?
Authentic STEM is a pioneering program that redefines STEM education by merging classroom learning with real-world industry challenges, and by facilitating collaboration between local students and their international peers, particularly from Germany. This program establishes partnerships with leading global and regional companies, offering students practical, experiential learning opportunities while nurturing critical thinking and problem-solving skills. It prepares students for future STEM careers, fosters a skilled talent pipeline for businesses, and enhances workforce development both locally and internationally.
What do we do at Authentic STEM?
In Authentic STEM, we create a dynamic educational environment where students engage in real-world STEM challenges presented by global and local industry leaders. We facilitate collaborative projects that involve students from New York working alongside their international counterparts, particularly from Germany, fostering cross-cultural exchange and a global perspective in problem-solving. Our program prepares students for the future workforce by integrating practical industry experiences into their learning journey, nurturing their skills and creativity for successful careers in STEM fields.
praise for authentic stem
Authentic STEM is the epitome of the power of partnerships between businesses, schools, regional agencies, and local, state, and federal leaders.
NYS Assemblyman D. Billy Jones (D- Chateauguay Lake)
Authentic STEM provides the skills and direct hands-on experience needed to help our communities innovate and our local economies grow.
NYS Senator Dan Stec (R,C- Queensbury)
As educators, if we are serious about playing our role in solving the workforce shortage and increasing its quality, we have to engage all of our students.
Michele Friedman, Director of Career & Technical Training at CV-TEC
At BETA Technologies we are focused on using science and technology to create a better, more sustainable future for aviation. It’s going to take a lot of smart, capable people to make this a reality and that starts by inspiring students today. We are firm believers in the power of hands-on experience, and we’re honored to partner with Authentic STEM to help develop the next generation workforce.
Blain Newton, Chief Operating Officer, BETA Technologies
Engaging students with open-ended, relevant problems is an empowering way to help them see connections between things they learn in the classroom and the real world. The benefits–like learning teamwork, communication skills, and pushing themselves out of their comfort zone cannot be understated. I am so excited to see what the teams come up with!
Kathleen Kavanagh, Director of the Clarkson Institute for STEM Education and the Vice President of Education for the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics, Clarkson University.
Authentic STEM not only equips students with the skills and knowledge to succeed in a global workforce, but it also serves as a critical resource for regional businesses seeking to recruit and retain top talent in STEM fields.
Jordon LeBlanc, Programming Director at North Country Workforce Partnership
Special thanks to WDI (Workforce Development Institute) for their generous partnership for this program, particularly supplying needed funds for this website.