The Bridging the Gap conference planning team takes pride in providing a consistent conference experience with unique program features that would not be possible in fall 2021 due to ongoing pandemic safety restrictions and ongoing pandemic uncertainties. We know that an in-person Bridging the Gap conference in fall 2021 would not be the Bridging the Gap conference that you have grown to expect and enjoy due to necessary modifications. By keeping our community virtual this fall, we are able to lower registration costs, keep your time away from the classroom at a minimum, and we are continuing to keep your health and safety our top priority. We look forward to seeing you online in the days ahead!
The conference brings together educators, business leaders, government officials and others who play a role in STEM education to share ideas and resources.
Bridging the Gap is an annual conference whose goal is to strengthen K-16 STEM education throughout North Carolina and the nation.
This year’s conference features live and interactive discussions around diversity, equity and inclusion in STEM. Additionally, all sessions include a built-in DEI component so the latest innovations in STEM are brought forward through a diversity, equity and inclusion lens.
Obtain practical guidance for incorporating STEM into your classroom with inquiry-based, hands-on activities you can implement immediately.
Lend your voice to discussions of key challenges that straddle the worlds of K-12 and higher education, such as K-16 vertical alignment and defining what “college-ready” really means in STEM education.
Create new and lasting partnerships with higher education, industry and other STEM groups, such as museums, learning centers and economic development groups.
Expand your potential by learning more about the STEM educational programs in development at North Carolina universities, centers and STEM organizations.
Participate in co-created sessions to develop solutions, discuss best practices and share lessons learned with other STEM stakeholders.
Explore best practices in teaching STEM at the undergraduate level.
Determine which recruiting strategies work, and which do not, when growing your program’s enrollment, and which strategies are effective in preventing STEM dropout in early higher education.
Hear directly from high school educators about what you can expect from the class of 2021 as it relates to student learning styles, student knowledge base and student expectations for college.
Learn how the Common Core, the Next Generation Science Standards and the North Carolina Essential Standards are impacting student preparedness for academic rigor at the college level.
Give a 50-minute presentation that allows you to share your STEM education deliverables with K-12 educators.
Connect with K-16 educators to discuss your current and future workforce needs.
Create lasting partnerships with higher education, government, K-12 education and other STEM groups.
Learn about new, innovative approaches to STEM education that strengthen the STEM pipeline and create a workforce with the skills for the jobs of the future.
Learn from other business leaders and experience examples of philanthropic investments in K-16 education to inform your decision-making about corporate investitures.
Connect with K-12 educators, government officials and higher education researchers who seek opportunities to work with business leaders to address the tough challenges in STEM education.
Connect with industry leaders from across North Carolina to tap into their needs regarding educational preparation.
Hear directly from educators and administrators about how governmental policy translates into action in the classroom.
Experience the latest STEM education teaching tools developed by K-12 educators, college and university faculty, industry professionals and other STEM groups.
Introduce K-12 educators and others to the wealth of STEM resources available from informal educators and those running out-of-school educational programs, learning centers, economic development groups and other STEM groups.
Show K-12 educators and others how to use Citizen Science and other innovative programs in the traditional classroom setting.
Hear directly from teachers about their experiences, needs and expectations to help inform your programming and investments.
Connect with educators, business leaders, government officials and higher education researchers looking for opportunities to work collaboratively to address tough challenges in STEM education.