Five Questions With: Carol M. Giuriceo

Carol M. Giuriceo is director of the Rhode Island STEM Center at Rhode Island College.
Carol M. Giuriceo is director of the Rhode Island STEM Center at Rhode Island College.

Carol M. Giuriceo, director of the Rhode Island STEM Center at Rhode Island College, talked with Providence Business News about the center, which promotes science, technology, engineering and math, and Friday’s STEM in the Middle girls career expo.
PBN: How long has the STEM Center been in operation and what was the reason for creating it? Do you know if it’s the only one of its kind in the area?
GIURICEO:
In 2009, people in education, industry and government agreed that more emphasis needed to be placed on the problem-solving skills and critical thinking found in science, technology, engineering and mathematics – and the Rhode Island STEM Center was born. Although an earlier generation had been inspired by the potential of space exploration to study STEM fields, current high school students do not always see the possibilities inherent in a STEM career. In particular, women and people of color are still underrepresented in STEM fields. Moreover, many students are not adequately prepared to pursue STEM in college. In our tech-infused world, students must have an understanding of STEM to thrive.
As people in the STEM fields reach retirement age, a strong need exists for a more productive and integrated approach to STEM education. The Rhode Island STEM Center was created to develop such an approach by building partnerships among business/industry, PreK-12, higher education, after-school programs, community-based organizations, nonprofits and government agencies. The Rhode Island STEM Center is uniquely positioned to lead these coordinated efforts resulting in a more engaged Rhode Island population.

PBN: How does the STEM Center help students?

GIURICEO: Although not everyone is going to work within the STEM or STEAM industry, everyone needs the skills and practices that STEM and STEAM offer. A basic understanding of STEAM (arts and design added to STEM) helps people explore the world and critically make decisions. The STEM Center focuses on relating STEM/STEAM to everyday life – whether that is through mentors who work in STEM/STEAM fields or through engaging hands-on activities. We connect STEM/STEAM to the real world and demonstrate that science, technology, engineering, arts and design, and mathematics are not distinct subjects to be studied, but dynamic, integrated concepts that can be explored in new ways.

Currently, there are two active online surveys that will help identify the current and potential STEM/STEAM programs so we can share successful practices and support the scaling up of quality STEAM learning experiences. The first one will help identify current and potential STEM/STEAM programs and partnerships in Rhode Island schools, http://tinyurl.com/RI-Education-Survey. The second survey will help identify current and potential partnerships between industry and education, http://tinyurl.com/Industry-Education-Partnership .

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We also understand the relationship between education and industry needs to be strengthened. We are currently working closely with the newly established Langevin Center for Design, Innovation and Advanced Manufacturing at RIC to build awareness and interest in real-life applications.

PBN: Is STEM education something business leaders and educators are recognizing the need for now more than ever?
GIURICEO:
Many more people are becoming aware of the importance of STEM and STEAM and acknowledging that we must have higher STEM/STEAM expectations of our students in all of our schools. Eighteen months ago, the STEM Center organized the Rhode Island STEAM Now Coalition to promote STEAM literacy throughout the state. The coalition has now grown to a broad alliance of approximately 250 individuals including Rhode Island business, education and government leaders. Currently, we are working toward one of our goals: the creation of a nonpartisan Governor’s STEAM Council at the state level that will support STEAM policy and develop a statewide STEAM Plan for Rhode Island.

PBN: Has attendance at STEM in the Middle grown?

GIURICEO: Participation in STEM in the Middle has increased from 90 girls to 120-125 girls in the two years. This year, four middle schools are involved. The event offers 12 different workshops with approximately 20 mentors who guide the sessions. Organized by Tech Collective, STEM in the Middle is hosted by the STEM Center in classrooms at Rhode Island College across four different buildings which gives girls an insider view of college. The event reflects the goals of the Rhode Island STEM Center with its focus on real-world applications, strong mentors and hands-on activities.

PBN: What interests you in STEM?

GIURICEO: I have always been curious and interested in the what, why and how of the world. This includes ideas and abstract concepts as well as concrete objects and phenomena. Being the daughter of an artist/tinkerer and a teacher, learning was integrated in all aspects of life. STEM/STEAM excites me because it provides a way to explore and discover new things about life. It serves as an outlet for my curiosity and allows me to continually interact and find new ways to understand the world. As director of the Rhode Island STEM Center, I try to develop an accessible, “user-friendly” and relevant STEM/STEAM so I can encourage students to enjoy lifelong pursuit of knowledge.

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