We Build It Better

We Build It Better is an all-inclusive 18-week, industry-designed, educator-developed, innovative curricular experience engaging middle school students in a work-like STEM environment. We Build It Better brings the workforce ecosystem into the classroom through an innovative, rigorous, yet fun way, for both students and teachers, and generates a future workforce of thinkers and doers. An exclusive tool cart will provide seven kits for students to excel at product development. From precision and accuracy in manufacturing to developing smart products, a world of imagination is unleashed. We Build It Better focuses on middle school populations including students who often experience barriers to employment such as low-income, minorities, rural residents and women. As a non-degree credential, students will earn a Certificate of Completion. This certificate lays the foundation for STEM, manufacturing and transportation, distribution and logistics careers. At program completion, students will be able to apply knowledge, think critically and demonstrate skills to successfully perform tasks in a STEM workplace-like setting. Activities demand that they work independently and in teams expanding their ability to communicate and collaborate with others from diverse backgrounds and viewpoints. We Build It Better embraces the 21st-century work skills. The basic skills of listening, speaking, writing, math and science coupled with complex problem solving, technical and resource management skills provide the students with knowledge and competencies to do meaningful work. As a middle school program, being recognized as a complementary credentialed program would provide students an opportunity to explore credentialed high school programs, continuing the pathway for success. We Build It Better instructors must be certified by completing professional development in curricular content, including learning objectives, standards, differentiation strategies and industry-specific content.