Six-Day Institute at Midlands Technical College gives high-school professionals new insights into STEM education

This month, Midlands Technical College (MTC) hosted a six-day summer institute for faculty and staff from high schools across the Midlands. The STEM Career Pathways 101 institute was a highly interactive professional development opportunity made possible by a collaboration with the S.C. Technical College System, the S.C. Counseling Association, and the S.C. Department of Commerce. STEM is the educational acronym for programs in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.

“We were so excited to offer this opportunity for teachers, counselors, and other professionals working in our area high schools,” said MTC Admissions Coordinator Chanda Booker, who helped organize the event. “There are a lot of misconceptions related to manufacturing and other STEM-related fields like information technology and healthcare. MTC wanted to clear up those misconceptions and show our high school partners all the educational pathways available to their students.”

 

High school teachers and guidance counselors visit the Chemical Technology lab as part of their six-day summer STEM institute at Midlands Technical College.

 

Booker said there are thousands of STEM-related job opportunities across central South Carolina, and data shows the state lacks applicants with the education and training needed to fill those very lucrative positions. It is important that high school professionals realize these opportunities are available to their students and how they can take advantage
of them.

“High school teachers and counselors play an important role in making sure their students are aware of all the different post-secondary education opportunities available,” Booker said.

Each day, participants boarded a bus to visit one of MTC’s campuses to explore career pathways for students and to learn face-to-face from industry leaders about the high-demand employment opportunities available. Participants explored different STEM opportunities to make connections between post-secondary education and industry leaders to assist students as they transition from high school to college.

“Anytime I have the opportunity to bring back knowledge to my students, I do it,” said Erika Perry, who teaches math at Lexington High School. “Now, I’m armed with information about the opportunities my students can take advantage of at MTC. The opportunities are just phenomenal. The slogan ‘You can get anywhere from here’ is no joke.”

Brittany Singleton, Work Based Learning Coordinator at Westwood High School in Blythewood, said she plans to be a “champion” for MTC at her school. She is going to emphasize to Westwood students that MTC can give them an education that will put them to work earning good money in just one year.

“Stackable credentials are critical for this generation,” Singleton said. “Today’s student wants something they can actually use right away ­– something they get results from in one year.”

Midlands Technical College offers a wide range of programs including market-relevant stackable certificates, diplomas, and QuickJobs programs designed to help students rapidly meet their career and personal goals.

“They can begin earning money while continuing their education to advance in their careers,” said Singleton. “That’s the thing about MTC. You don’t have to limit yourself here.”

Learn more about the different programs MTC offers in STEM-related areas at www.midlandstech.edu/i-made-it.

 

About Midlands Technical College

Midlands Technical College (MTC) is a non-profit, six-campus, two-year public college serving Richland, Lexington, and Fairfield counties in South Carolina. MTC enrolls approximately 14,000 credit students annually making it the fifth-largest provider of higher education in South Carolina and one of the largest providers of transfer students to the University of South Carolina. The Corporate and Continuing Education (CCE) program is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the Southeast, with approximately 13,000 students and provides training to hundreds of area businesses each year. www.midlandstech.edu