Strategic Doing Pack:

STEM Consortium
Strategic Focus: Increase the number of students who pursue STEM studies through the formation
of a regional STEM consortium and innovative networking programs

Both state- and regional-level efforts to initiate and expand STEM programs are starting to take shape individually
within each state (e.g. Wisconsin Tech Council, Minnesota’s GetStem program, Rochester Area Math Science
Partnership, Corridor STEM Initiative (IA), among others).The region should build on these efforts and expand
successful models. The region should convene government, school district, postsecondary, workforce system, and
industry leaders to develop a regional strategy to increase the number of students engaging in STEM programs and
identify ways to link these programs together to leverage resources and take them to scale.

Some specific programs and initiatives to explore expanding include:

 Project Lead The Way, offered in all three states, forms partnerships with public schools, higher education
institutions and the private sector to increase the quantity and quality of engineers and engineering
technologists graduates. Curriculum can be expanded into more regional schools and can be “branded” as a
regional effort. Program also includes teacher summer academies.
 The GetStem Web portal in MN connects teachers to innovative ideas and business resources to school
needs.
 Rochester Area Math Science Partnership, a partnership between IBM, the Mayo Foundation and area
school districts to improve science and math learning.
 Corridor STEM Initiative, a coalition of Iowa superintendents from school districts, community colleges,
University of Iowa and area chambers of commerce within the Iowa City/Cedar Rapids area. Outside of the
region but a model to explore for the AIM to WIN Region.

In addition to program expansion the workforce system should be more actively engaged in local existing economic
development organization STEM initiatives. Several of the larger economic development organizations within the
region, including Rochester Area Economic Development, Inc., conduct periodic “sub-regional” STEM forums. WIBs
must be an active partner in planning these efforts and promoting area training programs that align to STEM
principles.

Action items:
 Identify current regional K-12 reform efforts in region that support RIG goals
 Identify STEM programs applicable to target industries in K-12 (through asset-mapping)
 Identify STEM programs applicable to target industries in regional 2-year and 4-year programs (through
asset-mapping)
 Identify workforce center and incumbent-worker programs to strengthen STEM skills of participants
 Map STEM program funding flows (federal agencies, foundations, etc)
 Convene group of STEM stakeholders to identify which new/existing programs should be expanded
 Use consortium to develop overall regional framework.
 Communicate STEM careers to teachers, students, parents, through written materials

Strategic Doing Pack: STEM Consortium

AIM to WIN RIG Region
Winona, MN
August 26, 2009 Page 1 of 6
Strategic Doing Question 1:
Define a clear outcome for the STEM Consortium
Define an outcome with 3 characteristics...Define metrics to measure the characteristics...

Characteristics that define your Metrics to measure

Outcome your success
What are the characteristics or features of your outcome? How would you measure each
Characteristic 1
How do you describe it clearly? How will the region be Metric 1
characteristic?
different?
Characteristic 2 Metric 2

Characteristic 3 Metric 3

Strategic Doing Pack: STEM Consortium

AIM to WIN RIG Region
Winona, MN
August 26, 2009 Page 2 of 6
Strategic Doing Question 2:
Define one or more projects to achieve your outcome
Define how you will get to your outcome
Decide on a project with 3 SMART Goals
Simple Measurable Aggressive Relevant Time sensitive

Define one project (you can have multiple projects)

What are you going to do to achieve your outcome?

Define the project pathway with SMART Goals

SMART Gaol 1: By ____________________, we will
____________________________________________________________
SMART Gaol 2: By ____________________, we will
____________________________________________________________
SMART Gaol 3: By ____________________, we will
____________________________________________________________

Define a second project

What are you going to do to achieve your outcome?

Define the project pathway with SMART Goals

SMART Gaol 1: By ____________________, we will
____________________________________________________________
SMART Gaol 2: By ____________________, we will
____________________________________________________________
SMART Gaol 3: By ____________________, we will
____________________________________________________________

Strategic Doing Pack: STEM Consortium

AIM to WIN RIG Region
Winona, MN
August 26, 2009 Page 3 of 6
 Define a third project
What are you going to do to achieve your outcome?

Define the project pathway with SMART Goals

SMART Gaol 1: By ____________________, we will
____________________________________________________________
SMART Gaol 2: By ____________________, we will
____________________________________________________________
SMART Gaol 3: By ____________________, we will
____________________________________________________________

Strategic Doing Question 3:

Draft a short-term action plan

Who Project Action Step By When

Strategic Doing Pack: STEM Consortium

AIM to WIN RIG Region
Winona, MN
August 26, 2009 Page 4 of 6
Strategic Doing Question 4:
Set a schedule to revise your strategy and action plan within 30
days

Follow-up Meeting

Date

Time

Place

Strategic Doing Pack: STEM Consortium

AIM to WIN RIG Region
Winona, MN
August 26, 2009 Page 5 of 6
Strategic Doing Short Form

STRATEGIC FOCUS AREA:

STRATEGIC OUTCOME (May be one of several)

CHARACTERISTIC CHARACTERISTIC CHARACTERISTIC

INITIATIVE or PROJECT to achieve the strategic outcome:

HOW DO WE MEASURE and DETERMINE SUCCESS? Metrics should connect with characteristics

METRIC 1 METRIC 2 METRIC 3

A REVIEW and FOLLOW UP SESSION is scheduled for

DATE: TIME: PLACE:
Strategic Doing Pack: STEM Consortium
AIM to WIN RIG Region
Winona, MN
August 26, 2009 Page 6 of 6