Career Connected Learning

Empowering Career-Connected Learning (CCL) with Resources for Educators

The South Metro-Salem STEM Partnership (SMSP) is excited to offer a comprehensive suite of resources designed to equip educators with the tools they need to integrate Career-Connected Learning (CCL) into their classrooms.

Industry Engagement:

• Industry Connected Classroom Project (ICCP): Create a Project-based Learning (PBL) experience over dinner with local industry and higher ed partners. Then do the ICCP/PBL with your class. Highly relevant and engaging CCL for your students!  (November – May, MS/HS)
• Educator Externships: Participate in a week-long professional development program that immerses educators in real-world industry settings. (June, MS/HS)
• Annual Industry-Educator Speed Networking: Connect with industry partners and gain valuable insights into current career trends and student preparation needs. (August, K-12)

Curated CCL Resources:

• Career Connect Oregon: Explore a vast collection of CCL materials, including lesson plans, career exploration activities, and curriculum frameworks.
• Career Journeys: Utilize engaging 5-minute videos featuring Oregon professionals alongside aligned CCL lessons.
• Oregon Employability Skills: Implement our comprehensive CCL curriculum designed for elementary, middle, and high school students, aligned with employer expectations.
• Oregon Open Learning (OER Commons): Discover a treasure trove of free, open-source educational resources (OERs) related to career exploration and awareness. Search terms like "Career Research" or "Salary Tutorial" to find a wealth of relevant materials.
• 3 “Mind the Inspiration Gap” Career Exploration Units:  K-2,  Gr.3-5, and  MS  Units designed to support all students, including English Learners 

(created by teacher teams with the South Metro-Salem STEM Hub, Summer 2022)

CCL Inspiration Beyond the Classroom:

• KGW.com/MadeForThis: Utilize this platform to help students explore career interests and discover pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship opportunities.
• Careers Northwest: Empower students with interest tests, career information, and resume building tools. Explore training sites and job postings in construction, healthcare, manufacturing, and technology sectors.
• BizTown (Junior Achievement): Engage students in a simulated city experience that blends civics education with career exploration. (Grades 4-6)
• NASA's Virtual Career Day (September 26th, 2024): Register by September 5th to connect students with diverse career options at NASA.
• Science Near Me: Facilitate student participation in citizen science projects based on their zip code.
• SKYPE A SCIENTIST: Connect your classroom with scientists for free Q&A sessions.
• BOEING virtual field trips: Explore latest engineering, technology, and manufacturing at Boeing with these Virtual Field Trips.

Additional Resources:

• Oregon CIS: Explore education and career pathways within Oregon and beyond.
• Career-related Assessments:
• FREE - Traitify, O*NET Interest Profiler
• PAID - YouScience, Naviance,
• Oregon ACTE Conferences & PD: Participate in professional development opportunities focused on career and technical education (CTE).
• Oregon Connections - (powered by Pathful) is a great resource for bringing professionals virtually into your classroom; however, it is no longer a free resource funded by the STEM Hub. Contact Pathful directly to discuss costs for your school. - https://pathful.com/ 
• Other miscellaneous resources that might link to your CCL ideas:

CNN 10: daily news show for students age 13+ to learn about current events and global issues in 10 minutes or less. (Great way to start each school day!)

Banzai: free, interactive, online financial literacy classes

Flocabulary: Cultivate literacy across the curriculum with video-based lessons & activities with hip-hop, storytelling & emotional connections