It can be easily argued that STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math) pathways started almost 60 years ago with the launch of Sputnik that inspired generations of innovation in technology and engineering in the United States. Every president, from President Eisenhower to President Obama, has endorsed the need for STEM education for the U.S. to stay competitive in our global environment and remain as a global leader. A report from the Department of Education (March 2015) outlined the need for STEM education. The goal: “President Obama has articulated a clear priority for STEM Education: within a decade, American students must ‘move from the middle to the top of the pack in science and math.’ The Obama administration also is working toward the goal of between places, where an equitable distribution of quality STEM learning opportunities and talented teachers can ensure that all students have the chance to study and be inspired by science, technology, engineering and math – all have the chance to reach their full potential.”
Career & Technical Education (CTE) throughout the State of Arizona has been an active participant in the advancement of STEM pathway education. The basics of CTE education is to provide “cutting-edge, rigorous and relevant career and technical education (CTE) prepares youth and adults for a wide range of high-wage, high-skill, high-demand careers.” One of the key points of a CTE high-quality programs is that it offers contextualized learning for students, ways for students to master technical and academic content of a career pathway. It’s hand-on learning that is focused on solving problems in real world challenges. According to the mission of the Arizona Technology Council, “STEM education offers students one of the best opportunities to view our world holistically, rather than in bits and pieces. STEM education removes the traditional barriers between the four disciplines, by integrating them into one cohesive teaching and learning paradigm.”
Yavapai College (YC) has been a front-runner for the Prescott Regional area, with programs of education that support the pathways of STEM. With the support of a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant, the exceptional YC programs of Applied Pre-engineering, Computer Numeric Control, Electrical Instrumentation and a new program of Integrated Systems Engineering shows the commitment Yavapai College has to students to have high-quality leaning opportunities in STEM subjects. These programs of study also provide high paying jobs in the related areas. These jobs, and other jobs, can be investigated at onetonline.org. Information can be found relating to job tasks, job growth, employment trends, education needed, career interest, related occupations and job openings. Yavapai College sponsors STEM-ulating robotic summer camps for boys and girls (ages eight to 16) at the Career & Technology Education Campus and at the Verde Valley Campus. Four the last four years, Yavapai College has been a sponsor of the Prescott Regional SciTechFest and the Verde Valley SciTechFest, which promotes the STEM pathway initiatives.
A STEM integration of area businesses and schools happens at the 4th annual Prescott Regional SciTechFest, an Arizona SciTechFest partner. This year, the Prescott Regional SciTechFest will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 25 at the Gateway Mall in Prescott. It is a great opportunity for hands-on activities in the STEM area and also to see how area schools/organizations are involved with STEM projects. Last year’s SciTechFest drew almost 700 participants. The mission of the Prescott Regional SciTechFest is to promote a culture that celebrates and embraces education, research, collaboration, innovation, and economic growth in the Prescott region, related to science, technology, engineering, mathematics and the arts (STEM+A). QCBN
By Jim Voska
For additional information on STEM programs or activities, please go to yc.edu or azscitech.com/scitech_event/prescott-scitechfest-2/.
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