The Arkansas Department of Education, in partnership with the Arkansas Public School Resource Center (APSRC), is empowering its educators and students with cutting-edge resources: Learning Blade, Career Blade, and Ready for Industry. These comprehensive systems are available to all Arkansas public and public charter schools completely free of charge, marking a significant investment in the state’s future workforce.
What makes this initiative truly remarkable is that there are absolutely no costs to schools. The Arkansas Department of Education is fully funding not only access to Learning Blade, Career Blade, and Ready for Industry (launching Fall 2022), but also all associated training and ongoing support. This commitment, delivered through Thinking Media, the innovative creators of these platforms, ensures that every school and student organization in Arkansas can leverage these powerful tools.
Unlocking STEM Potential with Learning Blade
Learning Blade is specifically designed to captivate students in grades 5-9, offering over 200 hours of engaging, interactive activities focused on STEM and computer science. This dynamic platform goes beyond traditional learning by immersing students in real-world problem-solving scenarios, demonstrating how various careers and technologies are applied to address these challenges. Crucially, Learning Blade seamlessly integrates academic skills aligned with Arkansas standards, making learning both relevant and impactful.
For 2022, Learning Blade introduces an exciting addition: a 20-hour “Intro to Coding” course, perfectly tailored to meet the state’s coding block requirement. Furthermore, educators gain access to a wealth of lesson plans that facilitate innovative, STEM-focused, project-based learning, utilizing readily available classroom materials. Arkansas schools can easily request their FREE Learning Blade account at www.learningblade.com/AR.
To further incentivize engagement and innovation, schools in Arkansas that achieve 5,000 completed online interactive lessons within the 2022-2023 school year will be rewarded with a FREE 3D printer from Learning Blade (limited to one per school). This exciting opportunity encourages active participation and hands-on STEM exploration.
Career Blade: Connecting Education to Local Opportunities
Career Blade serves as a vital web-based K-12 resource, bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world career pathways. This platform empowers teachers to integrate career exploration directly relevant to their specific economic region. Educators can effortlessly access downloadable, subject-specific, and grade-appropriate lesson plans that highlight actual career pathways available within their local area. Career Blade also provides valuable contact information for local companies eager to connect with schools, fostering partnerships and real-world learning experiences. Explore Career Blade and its lesson plan portal at www.careerbladearkansas.com/.
Ready for Industry: Preparing Students for High-Demand Careers
Ready for Industry is tailored for students in grades 10 through adult, focusing on in-depth career preparation for high-demand industries. This system offers five distinct 20-hour courses, each concentrated on a critical workforce sector: Construction, Advanced Manufacturing, Healthcare, Logistics, and Information Technology. Students can choose to complete one or more courses to gain specialized career readiness for internships or entry-level positions. Upon successful completion of course requirements, including an assessment, students receive valuable certificates of completion, enhancing their employability. Arkansas educators and students can access Ready for Industry accounts at www.ReadyforIndustry.com/AR.
Arkansas Leads the Way in STEM Education Engagement
The impact of Learning Blade in Arkansas is already significant. Arkansas students have completed over 1.5 million lessons, establishing the state as a national leader in online Learning Blade engagement. This widespread adoption directly supports Governor Hutchinson’s Computer Science Initiative. Notably, surveys indicate a higher level of interest in computer science careers among Arkansas students compared to national averages, with a remarkable 61% increase in interest after using Learning Blade. In fact, 28% of Arkansas students surveyed expressed an interest in computer science careers after engaging with the platform.
For Arkansas schools and educators eager to learn more or request training for Learning Blade, Career Blade, or Ready for Industry, please reach out to [email protected]. This initiative represents a powerful step forward in equipping Arkansas students with the STEM knowledge and career readiness skills necessary for future success.
