Exposing students to the defense industrial base

Workforce development has long been an area of concern for the United States defense industrial base (DIB). To alleviate that concern the search for talent has been expanded. MindSpark is helping industry partners such as Lockheed Martin attract younger talent by targeting students as young as kindergarten through eighth grade.

“We know by third and fourth grade, kids are deciding what they’re good at and what they’re not good at, and sort of self-selecting their passions and what they want to pursue,” says Kellie Lauth, CEO of MindSpark. “That level is one of our biggest portfolios.”

Lauth and the MindSpark team have focused on core disciplines in their program by having students get interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Their mission doesn’t stop at the lesson plans though; MindSpark also helps introduce students to role models from similar backgrounds to inspire them to think about what’s possible and expose them to available careers in the DIB. Students also get involved in solving real-world problems alongside industry partners as teachers guide them through MindSpark’s problem-based learning model.

“We’ve seen the entire identity of the child shift from I can’t do that, I don’t want to do that, and I’m not good at that to I can be that type of engineer, I can work in defense, I can do these amazing things,” Lauth says. “And we’ve really seen it shift the narrative, too for what’s possible for educators and school leaders as well.”

Tapping into a younger market

On top of learning the STEM disciplines, MindSpark also helps students work on critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. Lauth believes younger children aren’t tied to being right or wrong and she appreciates how they put their uncensored ideas out there while not being afraid to fail, pivot, try something new, or experiment.

The MindSpark program is geared toward an entire school participating but can be catered to a single class if needed. Schools and teachers can reach out to MindSpark to get involved but Lauth and her team also reach out to schools near their industry partners and expose those districts to what it’s like being scientists, engineers, and other employees in the DIB. The reverse is also true as MindSpark will go into an area near an interested school and try to strike up partnerships with companies in the industry with expertise in the area the school hopes to focus on.

“I always tell people, it’s not just about academics anymore, it’s really about an economic play for students and their families,” Lauth says. “And it’s also a talent pipeline for industry.”

MindSpark is currently operational in all 50 states and with some international schools involved as well. Teachers can become certified to administer the program after a week of training.

About the author: Jake Kauffman is managing editor with GIE Media’s Manufacturing Group. He can be reached at JKauffman@gie.net.

MindSpark
https://www.mindspark.org