The STEM Guitar Project

在全国范围内，由于缺乏具有技术技能和知识的工人，工作岗位仍然空缺。STEM吉他项目通过让高中和大学教师和学生动手设计、制造和建造吉他，并将技术科目纳入动觉学习，解决了这一“技能差距”。该项目激励学生学习STEM科目，探索技术领域的职业兴趣，从而影响工业领域的技能差距。在这个为期三年的项目中，10,800名中学生和大学生将通过电吉他和原声吉他设计、计算机数控（CNC）机器制造和建筑活动，参与科学、数学和工程技术实践，并将其纳入学校课程。虽然基于项目的学习被认为是提高学生学习的一种行之有效的方法，但其有效性在很大程度上取决于教育者所接受的专业发展的质量。因此，该项目提供：1)教师专业发展机构和长达一年的支持和后续活动，帮助教师将STEM融入他们的课程；2)以学生成果为重点的评价性研究；3)支持全国从业者的在线STEM实践社区。专业发展与国家课程标准和行业技能相一致，培养当前和未来技术人员所缺乏的技能。此外，该项目正在吸引不同人群参与STEM学习，培养他们对STEM职业的兴趣——这是解决STEM技术人员短缺的关键活动。

Across the country, jobs remain unfilled due to a shortage of workers with technical skills and knowledge. The STEM Guitar Project is addressing this "skills gap" by engaging high school and college faculty and students in hands-on guitar design, manufacturing and construction and incorporating the technical subjects into kinesthetic learning. The project motivates students to learn STEM subjects and explore career interests in technical fields, thereby impacting the skills gap found in industry. During the three-year project, 10,800 secondary and postsecondary students will engage in science, mathematics, and engineering technology practices through electric and acoustic guitar design, manufacturing using Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines and construction activities, integrated into the school curriculum. While project-based learning is recognized as a proven method to increase student learning, effectiveness is highly dependent on the quality of professional development educators receive. Therefore, the project provides: 1) faculty professional development Institutes and year-long support and follow-up activities helping instructors integrate STEM into their programs; 2) evaluative research with a focus on student outcomes; and 3) an online STEM community of practice supporting practitioners across the nation. The professional development is aligned with national curriculum standards and industry skill sets and nurtures the skills absent yet required of current and future technicians. In addition, the project is engaging a diverse population into STEM learning, developing their interest in STEM careers - a critical activity to address the STEM technician shortage.