Workplace Immersion

Deep Dive:
A Closer Look At Workplace Immersion

The Brooklyn STEAM Center is a cutting-edge model for workplace learning that builds on the success of Career and Technical Education (CTE) schools. Located on the third floor of the largest building on the Brooklyn Navy Yard, the STEAM Center provides students with daily exposure to industry professionals and eliminates friction for industry partners to visit and provide feedback. The 30,000 square foot environment of the STEAM Center mirrors real-world work environments and includes professional-grade equipment and facilities. This approach fosters professionalism and ensures that students build skills and complete projects in a way that prepares them for the workforce. The authentic nature of the program and its connection to the industry community at the Brooklyn Navy Yard lead to higher levels of engagement and success among students, putting them on a pathway to economic mobility.

Quick Facts about Workplace Immersion

The Brooklyn STEAM Center is located in the Brooklyn Navy Yard with over 450 companies across the manufacturing, culinary, media and entertainment, engineering and technology sectors
The school is designed to resemble a place of work, giving scholars access to top-of-the-line equipment and materials
An industry Advisory Council regularly meets with the school staff to advise on the design of the curriculum and participate in work-based learning to expose scholars to their work
Provide company employees opportunities to volunteer and develop leadership;
Develop relationships with other businesses at BNY and beyond; and,
Highlight your organization’s civic contribution to the future of education and the local community.

A day in the life:
The Container Project

Eleven Brooklyn STEAM Center scholars from the Construction Technology and Design and Engineering pathways collaborated to address housing insecurity by transforming a twenty foot ISO shipping container into a livable space within five weeks during the summer of 2019. FullStack Modular, a tenant at the Navy Yard, provided the space and guidance from industry professionals. The scholars completed the interior framing with steel studs, adhering to industry codes and standards, before installing wall panels, furniture, and electrical fixtures with guidance from FullStack Modular and the Assistant Principal, a licensed electrician. The finished project was presented to Advisory Council members from their respective pathways, showcasing their versatile skills and teamwork abilities.

Workplace Immersion At a Glance

School Design

At the Brooklyn STEAM Center, we believe that all scholars should have a plan in place for their future. With that mindset, we recommend the “Learn & Earn” model where scholars continue their education and put their skills to work. In collaboration with our college partners, we are able to support the continuing education efforts of our scholars, where they can take advantage of priority admissions, prior learning credit, and advanced standing. We invite postsecondary institutions to join our collaborative to support the pipeline for our scholars.

Scholar Showcase

The Brooklyn STEAM Center hosts biannual showcases where students present their work to industry professionals. Each event attracts around 150 guests and allows scholars to receive feedback from Advisory Council members. The school’s location within a business hub attracts new businesses who express interest in working with the students. Previous showcases have featured impressive displays such as a student bringing a 3D printer from an adjacent business, Computer Science and IT scholars creating QR codes to connect with professionals on LinkedIn, and Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management students setting up mini-food stands to showcase recipes captured during a Food Walk along Myrtle Avenue.