Planning Your Future in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)

Program Overview

Starting Wright is a program for effectively reaching middle school and early high school students with disabilities and their parents/caregivers to promote preparation for post-secondary education and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.  A series of interactive web broadcasts is being developed to raise interest in STEM, guide academic pursuits, train psychosocial skills, and prepare students and parents for successful transition to 2 and 4 year college education and productive careers in STEM areas.  The goal is to develop, test and disseminate the program on a national basis.  Starting Wright was conceived as a gateway for young students with disabilities to a longitudinal and progressive program of secondary and post-secondary interventions designed to increase STEM degree achievement.

The vehicle for implementing Starting Wright is series of web broadcasts presented to students and parents in the home environment.  Both live and preprogrammed audio and visual presentations are made by college students with disabilities, disability researchers, STEM professionals, and career experts covering a variety of topics surrounding the issues of college academic and personal preparation, career choices, and practical tips associated with achieving inclusion and succeeding in college and beyond.  The webcast format enables direct interaction between live presenters and the audience of students with disabilities participating along with their parents/caregivers. The following is a list of sample topics being used to build the core programs:

• STEM Career Fields

• Motivation -- Successful college and career models, the diversity of career options available to students with disabilities, rewards of informed early decision making.

• Independence, Self-determination, and Self advocacy – Strategies for acquiring and practicing skills, attitudes and habits that are keys to success.

• Self Examination -- Identifying personal interests, skills, strengths.  Knowing one’s own personality and learning style.

• Academic Preparation -- Secondary school coursework needed for science, technology, engineering and mathematics oriented majors and careers.

• Technology Solutions – Tools to maximize independent participation and productivity in classroom math, science and writing activities.

• Social Skills – Interaction with teachers and fellow students.

• College Life – What to expect, FAQs from students with disabilities, finances, personal care solutions.

Starting Wright seeks to make creative use of the capabilities of the interactive web-based medium to foster family discussion, facilitate joint parent-student learning, planning and goal setting, allow real-time question and answer sessions between the participants and presenters, and provide the capability for post-program follow-up using electronic mail.