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."

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.

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