How Scoutlier’s STEM Programs are Revolutionizing Career ConnectED Learning—Insights from an Educator

In today’s rapidly evolving world, educators face the constant challenge of preparing students for careers that either didn’t exist a few years ago or weren’t nearly as popular. For teachers in fields like STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), this challenge is even more significant. However, Scoutlier’s Career ConnectED and STEM-Oriented programs (like Rapid Innovation) exist to help fill some of these learning gaps, creating a convergence between STEM education and workforce preparedness.

I recently had the opportunity to interview Ms. Patricia Piros about her experience with Scoutlier’s STEM career-connected programs. As an Information Technology teacher at East Providence High School Career & Tech Center, she shared her journey of integrating Scoutlier’s resources into her classroom and the profound impact it has had on both her and her students.

A Teacher’s Journey into STEM Education with Scoutlier

Before embracing Scoutlier’s programs Ms. Piros found that there was a significant deficit of ready-made curricula for topics such as 3D printing and AI. As she recalled, “I initially lacked structured lesson plans for 3D printing, and creating materials from scratch was time-consuming and overwhelming.” That’s when she discovered Scoutlier’s ready-made 3D printing curriculum, which allowed her to dive straight into teaching, saving her from hours of planning and allowing her to focus on student engagement.

“The freshman students are now engaging well with the lessons, and it’s been a rewarding experience to see their progress.” Through Scoutlier, Ms. Piros was also able to pilot our Data Science AI and You (DSAIY) program, offering students real-world applications in quickly advancing fields like data science and artificial intelligence.

Real Impact: How Scoutlier is Shaping Student Futures

Scoutlier’s programs have proven to be a benefit to educators, offering structured curriculums, easy integration into the classroom, and valuable resources that bring real-world concepts into the classroom, but don’t just take it from us, according to Ms. Piros, “The platform’s easy integration into my classroom has also been a key benefit. For example, Scoutlier’s 3D printing curriculum was a game-changer. It provided me with structured guidance, activities, and assessments that allowed me to implement the program smoothly, even without prior lesson plans. My students, especially freshmen, have thrived with it, showing strong engagement and an eagerness to learn. 

One of the most notable benefits is the ability to integrate technology smoothly into lessons. As Ms. Piros shared, “Scoutlier’s platform was a time-saver, allowing me to track student progress and adjust lessons to their needs, making it easier to provide targeted support.”

The impact of these programs isn’t just academic—Scoutlier’s Career ConnectED programs, like DSAIY, aim to open doors to new career possibilities for students. For example, a student named Ethan, who initially struggled in traditional subjects, found his passion in 3D printing. “He began designing custom models for our Bazaar, which were sold to generate money for our program. By the end of the semester, he expressed interest in pursuing a career in computer science.”

Another success story came from Jayla, who had little prior knowledge of programming but led a team to create an AI tool that predicted simple patterns in data. “By the end, they had developed a functional AI model. Jayla is now in the Pre-Engineering program and doing well.” These stories highlight the power of hands-on learning to spark interest and guide students toward promising STEM careers.

Overcoming Challenges with Scoutlier’s Support

Before Scoutlier, Ms. Piros often found herself grappling with the challenge of designing curriculum from scratch. “Without established resources, I had to create lesson plans from scratch or spend time researching and validating lessons, which was time-consuming and sometimes overwhelming, especially while balancing the other aspects of teaching.”

With Scoutlier’s support, the time spent planning has significantly reduced, allowing for more focused instruction. As Ms. Piros explains in her interview, Scoutlier’s resources will allow her to save countless hours of lesson planning and material creation, which ultimately means that she will get to engage more deeply and effectively with her students. Moreover, Scoutlier’s data-driven approach and real-time engagement reports, allows teachers to respond to individual students’ needs, providing personalized support and fostering growth.

Hands-On Learning with Real-World Applications

But it was a particular project from the Data Science AI and You program that stood out in her mind as a clear example of how Scoutlier’s Career ConnectED programs and STEM initiatives make a noticeable difference. In this project, students used a databot to collect environmental data, collecting data such as temperature, humidity, and light levels in different areas of the school. 

Once all their data was collected, the students moved on to analyzing the data, and “were tasked with writing simple program to process and analyze the data using coding skills they had learned in the previous lessons.” For many of the students, it was their first time connecting the two disciplines. And finally, they wrote their programs, visualizing patterns and trends in the data. Thanks to Scoutlier’s Data Science AI and You program and our resources, such as coding templates and examples, the students were able to troubleshoot any challenges they ran into along the way. 

This project combines elements of data science, coding, and storytelling, and is a clear example of how hands-on learning and real-world applications can increase student engagement. For students like Nash, this project was a turning point. 

“Nash was particularly engaged in this project. He had always been interested in technology, but he had never seen how coding and data analysis could be applied in a real-world context. As he worked through the project, he became fascinated with the idea of using data to tell a story. He and his team discovered that the light levels in certain parts of the school were much lower than in others, and they hypothesized that this might be affecting students’ productivity in those areas. Their data story explained their findings clearly, and they even suggested potential solutions, such as adding more lighting in certain classroom. Nash was so excited about how the project turned out that he asked if he could continue working on more data analysis projects outside of class.”

These types of experiences are helping students see how what they’re learning can be applied to solve real-world challenges, which can be seen with students like Nash, who went on to enroll in AP Computer Science Principles the following year. 

The Future of STEM Education with Scoutlier

Looking ahead, Ms. Piros continues to see Scoutlier as an essential tool for both teaching and learning. “As technology evolves, the need for educational platforms like Scoutlier—focused on career-connected learning, STEM skills, and real-world applications—will become even more crucial in preparing students for future careers. For me as a teacher, Scoutlier’s platform will continue to be a great resource. As new tools, technologies, and STEM fields emerge, I anticipate that Scoutlier will adapt and provide me with updated content that aligns with the latest industry demands. This will allow me to offer students the most current, relevant education without needing to spend countless hours developing new materials. Additionally, the continuous professional development opportunities provided by Scoutlier will help me stay ahead in an ever-evolving educational landscape.” 

And as for her students, Scoutlier offers a clear pathway to careers in high-demand STEM fields. “The hands-on nature of the curriculum, combined with real-world problem-solving and data-driven decision-making, equips students with skills that are in high demand I believe Scoutlier will continue to shape the future of education by helping a generation of students who are both technically skilled and prepared for the challenges of tomorrow’s careers.”

Final Thoughts: Why Educators Should Get Involved with Scoutlier

To educators considering Scoutlier and our many Career ConnectED and STEM-oriented programs, Ms. Piros has one piece of advice: “Don’t hesitate—get involved! Scoutlier offers so many valuable resources that can significantly enhance your teaching and better prepare your students for future careers in STEM fields.If you’re looking to make STEM education more dynamic, relevant, and engaging, Scoutlier is an excellent choice.” 

Scoutlier is transforming the way STEM education is approached, offering teachers the tools, resources, and support they need to succeed. By integrating real-world applications and fostering student engagement, Scoutlier is not just teaching technology—it’s opening doors to exciting career opportunities for the next generation of students. As Ms. Piros’s experience shows, Scoutlier is more than just an educational platform; it’s a gateway to a future full of possibilities for both teachers and students alike.

So, I will leave you with one final opinion from Ms. Piros—“if you’re on the fence, I encourage you to give it a try. The impact on both you and your students will be well worth it.” If you would like to learn more about our programs and professional development, you can fill out our interest form. If you are interested in getting started on Scoutlier today, it’s as easy as creating a teacher account!