Project Description:
Need: The National Summer Transportation Institute is designed to address a crucial workforce need for the transportation industry by creating a greater number and more diverse pool of applicants selecting transportation careers and entering the transportation industry. As the transportation industry grows so will the need to develop a workforce that can provide leadership in building the nations transportation system. At the same time that a shortage of qualified personnel is projected within the transportation industry, young people with disabilities are experiencing high levels of unemployment. For minority urban youth with disabilities, the lack of future orientation and career goals may be exacerbated by a higher prevalence of known risk factors. For example, African American youth with disabilities are more likely than white youth to live in single-parent homes, less likely to have parents who work, and more likely to be poor. This combined with lower expectations related to career development for youth with disabilities from family, schools, and others create a need to support urban youth with disabilities in creating and charting a pathway to careers.
Overall goals and objectives: The overall goal of the University of Iowas Iowa National Summer Transportation Institute (INSTI) is to improve STEM skills by providing junior high school students, minority, young women, and disadvantaged youth with and without disabilities with awareness regarding careers in transportation and to encourage them to take transportation-related technical curricula in pursuit of a transportation career.
Goal One: Enhance STEM academic, teamwork, and career development skills and provide students with an introduction to college life and the field of transportation.
Objectives:
1. Support students to get to know one another and to develop an appreciation for their unique gifts and talents.
2. Introduce students to the keys to successful teamwork and provide an opportunity for them to practice these skills.
3. Introduce students to a variety of university resources such as the library, career center, and disability support services.
4. Introduce students to the keys to successful career development and planning.
5. Assist students to improve academic skills and assess their study skills; which includes time management, use of study resources, and individual learning styles.
6. Improve specific academic skills including writing, presentation, technology, and planning skills.
7. Provide an overall introduction to the transportation industry.
Goal Two: Introduce students to the diverse modes of water, air, and ground transportation and the array of career opportunities that exist within this industry.
Objectives:
1. Introduce students to related transportation careers in federal, state, and local governments.
2. Introduce students to related transportation careers in private industry.
3. Introduce students to related transportation decision-making and planning processes.
4. Improve understanding and awareness of the policies, techniques, and procedures required to help make related transportation facilities safer.
Unusual features: This year the INSTI is virtual. We are already planning for the in-person INSTI next summer.
Expected benefits:
Goal One Outcomes:
1. Students will be able to apply analytical skills to basic transportation applications.
2. Students will be able to describe the college enrollment process.
3. Students will demonstrate competencies in using the library and internet to conduct research.
4. Students will demonstrate the ability to work in teams.
5. Students will demonstrate competencies in effective leadership.
Goal Two Outcomes:
1. Students will be able to identify career opportunities in transportation.
2. Students will demonstrate knowledge in the core areas of land, air, water and safety.
3. Students will be able to describe continuing transportation-related educational opportunities.
4. Students will demonstrate knowledge in resume writing, interviewing and work ethics.
5. Students will demonstrate respect for diversity in the workforce.
Area of Emphasis
Education & Early Intervention, Transportation-Related Activities, Quality of Life, Other - Leadership
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Geographic Areas, Territory, Geographic Area - Other
