STEM

Virtual Field Trip Platform Connects Teachers with STEM Experts

• By Dian Schaffhauser
• 09/23/15

A company that connects educators with industry experts for in-class virtual sessions has just added a new company to its roster. Nepris will be working with professionals affiliated with Randstad US to give K-12 students a taste of real-life work and careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

Nepris is a paid service that matches educators seeking a speaker, project mentor or evaluator with companies whose workforces have volunteered to help with those activities. To run the virtual segment, the classroom requires four components: a projector and screen or interactive whiteboard and a computer with an Internet connection, microphone and speaker, Internet browser and built-in camera or webcam.

Randstad is a staffing organization that places people into temporary and permanent positions within engineering, IT, manufacturing, logistics and other professions. Through a dedicated portal on the Nepris Web site, Randstad's network of clients and "talent" may register as subject matter experts to volunteer. Randstad will also run a pilot with 50 Atlanta and Philadelphia area teachers by offering complimentary access to the platform during the new school year.

"As a leading human resources provider, Randstad is acutely aware of the talent shortage in high-growth fields such as engineering, information technology, healthcare, life sciences and some areas of finance and accounting," said Chief Marketing Officer Kristin Kelley. "This partnership aligns with our long-term goal of bolstering America's STEM talent pipeline by integrating our networks' real-world expertise with students' STEM-based curriculum. We're excited to introduce our experts to classrooms and to provide invaluable learning opportunities uninhibited by barriers of distance, time or cost of field trips."