Skillpoint Alliance - where community, education, and business connect

Mission/History Information Kit Board of Directors Staff Directory Industry Councils Adult Workforce Educator Development	Student Programs Educator Training Computer Training Career Training Intermediary Services Research and Evaluation	Students Educators Job-Seekers Community Industry

(July 19) United Way Williamson Co. Announces Grant Recipients >

(July 12) Robotics & Biomedical Engineering Institute - Registration Open >

(July 1) Skillpoint Receives $500,000 Workforce Development Grant! >

Older Posts >

Schedule for CTTC Computer Classes >

Step Up!

Middle School Summer Enrichment Program

Step Up! is designed to spark an interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers. Hands-on problem based learning encourages students to explore and have fun while mastering challenging concepts.

infinity ramp: students hold half pipe tubes creating a channel for a marble Students and teachers participate in:

team building activities
instruction and experimentation in and out of the classroom
project construction
guest speakers
and field trips

Students use teamwork and ingenuity to create an 'infinity ramp'..moving a marbe acorss an entire pavilion with limited people and supplies.

Industry and education members from the Technology & Education Executive Council built a curriculum of hands-on activities highlighting science concepts and engineering design process. Activities such as infinity ramp tie back to a larger project such as designing and building a functioning model roller coaster. A Step Up program in rollercoaster physics may culminate in a field trip to Fiesta Texas to compare real rollercoaster designs.

Skillpoint Alliance works directly with teachers, principals and district administrators to design, implement and evaluate these programs. This flexible model allows educators to build the program that best fits their needs. Training and materials provided leave the teacher equipped with activities, suplies and experience after participating.

Ronald Smith evacuated from Hurricane Katrina and arrived in Austin with only $40. He came to Skillpoint Alliance where we helped him obtain skills in construction through our adult workforce program, Construction Gateway. He then found employment with Zachry Construction in Austin. “Hope was a main element and this program, Construction Gateway, enhanced it and gave me the opportunity to expand my skills,” Smith said. “The people of Austin have been very generous to me. Thanks, Skillpoint Alliance!"