STEM, Computer Science, and Coding Careers Module

Career Connections is one of six modules developed through the Computer Science Opportunities Development & Education in Rural School’s U.S. Department of Education grant. These lessons are developed for grades 3-8. Choose one of the lessons below or share with us what you developed. Complete the lesson reflection. And, don’t forget to share your lessons with us!

Activity 1: Four-Part Career Exploration by Abbi Coy at Purdy Middle School.

• This lesson includes a PowerPoint, links to videos and a worksheet.
• Introduce students to a variety of computer science and coding careers.
• Includes a worksheet for students to complete about necessary skills in the careers. Students create a “Help Wanted” poster for the career and skills they researched.
• Students present their posters to the class.

Activity 2: Videos (for bell ringers and other lesson plans)

We will update videos monthly.

• Jerome Morrison, design technologist at Meow Wolf.
• Danelle Cline, software engineer at MBARI.
• Nikesha Davis, aerospace engineer at NASA.
• Aveena Savage, singer, songwriter, music producer.
• Mission Unstoppable: How do Musicians Create Pop Hits.

The IF/THEN® Collection has posters, videos, and lessons that highlight authentic images of women in surprising STEM careers.

• Lace Padilla, neuroscientist.
• Daniele Monahan, physicist.
• Natalie Evans-Harris, data scientist.

Activity 3: Match Your Interests

Have students complete career interest quizzes.

• The Roadmap from Roadtrip Nation
• Career Girls Career Quiz targets girls. It starts with a one-question quiz then chooses career videos based on the answers.
• The O*Net Interest Profiler starts with a sixty-question quiz that helps students discover career interests. It takes fifteen to twenty minutes. It is designed for high school students but can be used with upper middle school students.