Building Colorado’s Talent Pipeline for Aerospace and Technology

Organization: Denver Public Schools

Grant Round: Workforce Innovation Grant II

Program’s Objectives: The goal for this program is to address Colorado’s growing need for qualified employees in the aerospace and information technology industries by building a talent pipeline model starting at the high school level. DPS hopes to build Colorado’s talent pipeline to aerospace and technology by utilizing resources and tools collaboratively within the partnership of education, business and workforce development to better serve district students. The objectives for reaching this goal are to foster student knowledge with school-based activities related to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) careers, place students in employment or educational activities related to STEM careers, and to support students in attaining a degree or certificate that addresses employment needs.

Individuals Served: The grant has served 125 students from seven Denver high schools: Abraham Lincoln, CEC Middle College, Denver School of Science and Technology, East, George Washington, John F. Kennedy, and Montbello.

Success Story: Students involved in the grant participated in the Colorado FIRST Robotics regional held on the University of Denver Campus March 26-28. The team from John F. Kennedy finished in third place at the Colorado Regional and took second place honors at the San Diego Regional.

Quote: “Robotics gives students something to be proud about. This opens more doors for them.” 
-- Maria Anglade, science teacher at Abraham Lincoln High School

Collaborators: University of Colorado, Colorado School of Mines, Colorado Community College System, FIRST Robotics, Lockheed Martin, Pearl Development, Sundyne Corporation, Rogue Engineering, Polycom, Covidian, Goodwill Industries, Williams Engineering, High Country Waterjet, Norgren, United Launch Alliance, OZ Architecture, Google, and Denver Office of Economic Development.