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OC STEM


OC STEM

 What is STEM

The National STEM crisis

STEM EDUCATION (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)

PURPOSE

The Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields are collectively considered core technological underpinnings of an advanced society, according to both the National Research Council and the National Science Foundation. In many forums (including political/governmental and academic), the strength of the STEM workforce is viewed as an indicator of a nation's ability to sustain itself. Maintaining a citizenry that is well versed in the STEM fields is a key portion of the public education agenda of the United States of America. Substantial lobbying is underway in Washington, DC to raise awareness of STEM education issues.

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The OCSTEM CTE Community Collaborative Project, funded by the Governor's SB 70 Career Technical Education Initiative Grant, is designed to bring multiple Orange County partners and initiatives together to better coordinate and organize a focused effort to meet STEM demands.                                                                           

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To find out more about STEM, go to Wikipedia. News Button

OCSTEM Newsletters:
        APRIL 2010
        MAY 2010
        JUNE 2010
        JULY 2010
        AUGUST 2010


In the State of the Union Address on January 31, 2006, now United States Former-President George W. Bush announced the American Competitiveness Initiative. Bush proposed the initiative to address shortfalls in federal government support of educational development and progress at all academic levels in the STEM fields. In detail, the initiative called for significant increases in federal funding for advanced R&D programs (including a doubling of federal funding support for advanced research in the physical sciences through the Department of Education) and an increase in U.S. higher education graduates within STEM disciplines.

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Why encourage STEM?

ºThe United States needs 400,000 new graduates in STEM fields by 2015 reference

º In the next 10 years, the United States will need 240,000 middle and high school math and science teachers reference



 

 

OBJECTIVES

Increase America's talent pool by improving K-12 science and mathematics education.

Enlarge the pipeline of students prepared to enter college and graduate with STEM degrees.

To find out more, go to the STEM Education Coalition

Orange County Department of Education Grant Objectives

The STEM CTE Community Collaborative Project (STEM CTE Project) is designed to bring multiple local partners and initiatives in Orange County together to better coordinate and organize a focused effort to meet STEM demands. The project goal is to strengthen the K-14 pipeline of students prepared with 1, 2, and 4 years of postsecondary training in STEM related fields.

The STEM CTE Project will focus on the response to three local needs that deter student success and growth in STEM related pathways and employment requiring 1, 2, and 4 years of postsecondary education.

1) Improvement of current science/mathematics phobic student culture.

2) The lack of student engagement and integrated curriculum in grades 7-14, science and mathematics education.

3) The local crisis in STEM related available workforce in Orange County that requires 1, 2, and 4 years of postsecondary education and training.



Click here to read the complete Abstract.

CAREER VOYAGERS - IN DEMAND MAGAZINE STEM

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Click here to download