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STEM Starter Academy
QCC student presentations at the Undergraduate Research Conference at UMASS Amherst
For more photos, visit the album
STEM Starter Academy (SSA) is a is a state-funded initiative to support community college efforts at all fifteen campuses to inform, engage, recruit, retain, and graduate significantly more students in STEM. The primary goal is to graduate more community students with STEM degrees and certificates so they can either enter the work force or transfer to a four-year institution. The secondary goal is to recruit more students into the STEM pipeline at the community colleges. At QCC the STEM Starter Academy works in a cross functional capacity with many programs on campus to increase STEM awareness, retention, enrollment and completion and these goals are best served if the entire QCC Campus is engaged. QCC’s strategy for STEM Starter Academy is embedding resources into areas of the campus that inform, enroll, retain, and see students through to completion.
STEM Starter Academy at QCC - 2019-2020
- STEM-focused recruitment strategies emphasizing the exciting opportunities in engineering, technology, computing & information technology, sciences & math.
- STEM-focused campus visits and events for prospective students, guidance counselors, teachers, families and community-based career counselors.
- STEM College & Exploration Day: Spring - March 18, 2020. High school junior & seniors experience a variety of STEM workshops on campus.
- Manufacturing Day on October 25: STEM Workshops
- STEM Week October 22-26
- STEM 2020 field trips:
- AbbVie Company Tour with the Mentoring students: February 11.
- Undergraduate Research Conference at UMASS Amherst & Campus Tour: April 24, 2020
- Other trips TBA
- Academic STEM & Career advising to guide students in choosing the right career and academic pathway. Contact Jane Lesniewski; jlesniewski [at] qcc.mass.edu
- Earth Day Celebration @ QCC on April 23. Presentations at 10:00 a.m. in room 109A HLC Bldg.
- College & Career Fairs.
- STEM Starter Academy Summer Program: July 8-July 30, 2020.
- Student STEM Research Projects. Students presenting at the Undergraduate Research Conference at UMASS Amherst on April 24, 2020.
- STEM Tutoring. Computer tutoring in the computer labs in Surp. Bldg.. ERG280 and CAD tutoring in the Quest Center, room 114
- QCC Mentoring Program with Gabe Santer: gsantner [at] qcc.mass.edu
STEM News
 | Peer-to-Peer Learning Delivers Big Dividends for AllAt QCC all it takes are two simple words – STUDENT SUCCESS. One way in which the college is supporting its students in succeeding is through student lab support technicians. Earlier this year several QCC students became lab support technicians in the college’s biology and chemistry labs thanks to funding from the “Increasing Diversity in STEM” grant award, which the college received... More... |
 | CIS Grads Hooked by Wakefly Digital MarketingTwo talented QCC students who secured internships due to QCC’s Tech Apprentice program reeled in full-time employment with Wakefly, a digital marketing company located in Marlborough. The students were attracted to Wakefly through QCC’s Tech Apprentice program, a partnership between QCC’s Office of Career Services and faculty in the Computer Information Systems (CIS) program. This program prepares... More... |
 | Showing Tomorrow’s Adults the Excitement of Today's Science and TechnologyQCC students Brandon Won, Joyeuse Uwamahoro, Anthony Le, Alex Reno, along with Associate Professor of Electronics Engineering Technology Jacob Longacre and Professor of Computer Science Hao Loi participated in TouchTomorrow, a science, technology and robotics festival held at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). Mr. Won demonstrated and discussed... More... |
 | STEM Students of the Month – MayEach month, the professors in QCC’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) programs recognize and acknowledge the perseverance of one student in their perspective STEM areas. Below is the third group of STEM Students of the Month with a few comments from the professors who nominated them. They include: Science - Shayne Barton, nominated by Professor of Integrated Science... More... |
 | Gateway to College Students Work on Fabricating their FutureCollaboration and partnerships both on and off campus are an important part of the educational process in the Gateway to College Program, according to Gateway to College Manager Marci Skillings.This is why classes such as the Introduction to Fab Lab Science are so vital. Recently 16 Gateway to College students completed the course, which was funded through a grant from the Stem... More... |
 | Scholarship Recipients Acknowledged at ReceptionA reception was held on April 22 to recognize 20 QCC students who each received a $1,000 scholarship this spring to support their studies in STEM programs. These scholarships were made possible through funding received from two state agencies: the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, which sponsored students through the Central Region Advanced Manufacturing Consortium; and the Massachusetts... More... |
 | CSET Student Orientation Yields Big Win For CSET StudentsLast summer a group of Computer Systems Engineering Technology (CSET) students went through a new student orientation to learn the ins and outs of college life at QCC; toured the campus and visited the labs; learned how to use the applications that will be a part of their curriculum, and discussed the different degree options. The two-day orientation was funded by a STEM Starter Academy Grant and those students who... More... |
 | STEM Summer Transfer Bridge Programs AnnouncedA new program designed to support Massachusetts community college students in making a successful transition into public 4-year universities as transfer students is launching this summer, as part of the STEM Starter Academy. Students transferring from one of the 15 community colleges in Massachusetts to a state college or university in order to pursue a bachelor’s degree in a STEM field, can apply to a... More... |
 | STEM Students of the MonthEach month, the professors in QCC’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) program recognize and acknowledge the perseverance of one student in their perspective STEM programs. Below is the second group of STEM Students of the Month with a few comments from the professors who nominated them. They include: Science – Erika Pillco, nominated by Assistant... More... |
 | QCC Energizes Students in Avanza STEM ExpoOn April 18, QCC staff and faculty brought STEM to life at the spring Avanza STEM Expo held by the Latino Education Institute at Worcester State University. The Expo offered seminars in various STEM topics along with a science fair event featuring different types of “hands-on” STEM experiences. Avanza translates roughly to “Get Moving," and the Expo certainly had people... More... |
Contact Information
Darcy Carlson
QCC Stem Starter Academy Administrator
dcarlson@qcc.mass.edu
508.854.4441
Benjamin Benton
Interim Dean of the School of Math and Science
bbenton [at] qcc.mass.edu
Betty Lauer
Dean of School of Business, Engineering, and Technology
blauer [at] qcc.mass.edu
Adrienne Linnell
STEM Program Administrator
alinnell [at] qcc.mass.edu
Jane Lesniewski
STEM Advisor
jlesniewski [at] qcc.mass.edu
Kathleen Bagge
STEM Counselor
kbagge [at] qcc.mass.edu
STEM Starter Academy at QCC
Orientation
- August 11 & 12: ZOOM Computer Orientation
STEM Starer Academy Summer Program
College Readiness Program with a FREE FYE101/STEM Course. For more information, contact dcarlson [at] qcc.mass.edu or view the Summer Program info sheet
View the Summer Program Application
FREE 2-4 Summer Transfer Program
Articles
- https://www.stemconnector.com/overlooked-talent-pools/
- https://www.TopJobsReviewed.com
- QCC first community college in state to join FAB Lab Network
- How Bay Path Boosted STEM Success for Underrepresented Women
- What can you do with a 3D Printer
How do you know if STEM is for you?
Check out our Career Page to find out!