Experiential Learning for Emerging and Novel Technologies (ExLENT) is a new program from the Directorate for Education and Human Resources and the Directorate for Technology, Innovations, and Partnerships. The purpose of this program is to support experiential learning opportunities for individuals from diverse professional and educational backgrounds that will increase access to, and interest in, career pathways in emerging technology fields (e.g., advanced manufacturing, advanced wireless, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, quantum information science, semiconductors, and microelectronics). Ideal experiential learning opportunities (i.e. internships, co-operative agreements, service-based learning, and research opportunities) place individuals in authentic workplace environments that foster learning by engaging in the process of identifying and solving real-world problems.
The ExLENT program aims to connect companies, governments, agencies, schools, professional organizations, and/or non-profits in order to provide individuals the experiential STEM learning opportunities needed to accelerate the Nation's innovation capacity. Given the breadth of age and educational/professional experiences of potential learners, there will be no one-size fits all” requirement for this program. Experiential learning opportunities supported by ExLENT can serve a broad range of learners including secondary school youth and adults at any stage of career development. Further, proposed experiential learning activities can range from fully immersive experiences, such as internships, to extensive course-based activities that are constructed by (or driven by) workplace partner input to approximate real-world experiences
The goals of this program are to (a) expand access to career-enhancing experiential learning opportunities for a broader, more diverse population, including adult learners interested in re-skilling and/or upskilling (e.g., those who face or who have faced significant barriers to accessing a formal STEM education); (b) promote cross-sector partnerships between organizations in emerging technology fields and those with expertise in workforce development; and (c) develop a workforce aligned with regional economies based on emerging technologies across the Nation, in alignment with the mission of the TIP Directorate.
Successful proposals will outline a comprehensive program curriculum that includes:
- Experiential learning opportunities that provide participants with an enhanced understanding of the emerging technology landscape and training in the STEM entrepreneurial and technical skills that increase their employability.
- Workplace-driven career exploration activities that allow participants varied pathways into, and job opportunities in, emerging technology fields.
- Mentorship to support participants' professional development and pursuit of careers in emerging technology fields, providing them with paths beyond the ExLENT program.
- The establishment of a participant cohort designed to help participants develop a STEM career identity and a sense of community within the emerging technology fields.
- Intentional support in diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility for all stakeholders to create environments that value diverse perspectives critical for innovation and that promote a competitive, resilient emerging technology workforce.
ExLENT projects should demonstrate an integrative and comprehensive approach that includes the following key features:
- Provides pathways into the emerging technology workforce.
- Includes individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences, especially individuals from groups historically underrepresented and/or underserved in STEM.
- Provides in situ emerging technology-specific, competitively compensated, professional work experiences or emerging technology-specific career exploration for participants.
- Where relevant, includes attention to issues of cybersecurity, safety, and/or privacy in considering applications of emerging technologies in professional settings and/or in other experiential learning opportunities.
- Involves partnerships between appropriate stakeholders committed to an integrated, collaborative network to best support participants.
- Builds community between all those involved in the project by using a cohort model for engaging participants.
- Provides both mentoring by peers and mentoring by experienced emerging technology professionals for participants that includes career development planning beyond program participation.
- Includes diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) instruction, as appropriate, for the different stakeholders.
None is available.