NextGen T.R.A.C.K.S.
Thinking, Researching, Analyzing, Creative, Knowledgeable Students!
Welcome to the Revitalized, Future-Ready NextGen Student Program!
We have new and reimagined sessions and hands-on activities to improve student skill sets, avail STEM opportunities, participate in once-in-a-lifetime activities and networking, all while integrating students into the presidentially-amazing adult programming at the ISDC. Weâre prepared to inspire, guide, and focus students on blossoming into the leaders of tomorrow.
NextGen TRACKS is a supplement program to studentsâ conference experience which overlays the ISDC programming. TRACKS is an Acronym for our T.R.A.C.K.S.: Thinking, Researching, Analyzing, Creative, and Knowledgeable Students; our holistic pedagogy promotes students gaining new knowledge, understandings, and skills. Moreover, TRACKS are mini-sessions within âtrackâ categories, including: Academic Processes, Intro to STEM Disciplines, Vocation Rotation, Mentorship, Communications Workshop, Creative Technologies.
The NextGen TRACKS will include hands-on learning experiences about interesting things of the NextGen, like 3D Printing, Space Elevators, and so much more!
Adults and students alike definitely do not want to miss out this year!
Additionally, students will be able to meet with professionals working in different STEM fields and learn about integral, even if unseen, career paths. These programs and events have been specially designed to help students make informed decisions about careers and developing professionalism.
Online Supplements to NextGen TRACKS! Students will now be given Moodle access to interact with additional online resources, professional and STEM networking, conference details, et cetera. âBoop!â is a learning-management software for our faculty in implementing our program, created in-house by NextGen's Learning Management Systems Director. This software manages our student check-in and check-out processes by scanning studentsâ badges. Also, it allows students to earn credit towards their certificates when attending required sessions.
Students will use their earned points to âpurchaseâ souvenir giveaways at our concluding âPoint Shoppingâ event!
We will award ISDC Participation Certificates to middle and high-school, attending student participants whom complete our program's core-required activities. Contact us at [email protected] for special exceptions, considerations, or accommodations.
As you join us in St. Louis, the NextGen Team ensures youâll love this âonce in a lifetimeâ experience for every single one of you âSpace-cadetsâ or STEM-futurists.
I look forward to meeting and learning from all of you in May!
Jason Branham, Chair
To know more about NextGen TRACKS programming, click here.