First meeting of Governor’s STEM Advisory Council Executive Committee Kick Starts Iowa’s STEM Focus
DES MOINES, IOWA (September 14, 2011) – Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds and University of Northern Iowa (UNI) President Benjamin Allen convened the inaugural meeting of the Governor’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Advisory Council's Executive Committee, beginning the process of determining next steps in bolstering STEM education, STEM innovation and to better position Iowa’s young people and the state’s economy for the future.
“I am pleased to have the opportunity to work with this group of professionals to improve Iowa’s education,” said Reynolds. “Greater knowledge and skills in science, technology, engineering and math will better prepare Iowa’s youth to enter a competitive, global marketplace. Iowa’s slide in the rankings on national tests indicates we need to do better. Our children are counting on us; we will not let them down.”
The 13-member Executive Council, appointed by Governor Branstad earlier this month, anticipates building on programs of promise in stimulating student interest in science, technology and mathematics which in turn will build a STEM-savvy talent pool from which Iowa businesses can draw. The group talked extensively about both short-term impact and a long-term sustainability for the state.
“I would like to see us put Iowa on the global map as a STEM-centric place,” said Barry Butler, executive vice president and provost for the University of Iowa, and former dean of College of Engineering. “When I moved here as an undergrad, Iowa was known to value education. And we still do. The challenge is to focus that education into science, engineering and technology.”
“We need ‘sharing out’ among teachers to create a repository of best practices,” said President Allen. “Iowa should make STEM education our ‘Manhattan project’.”
In summary, consensus emerged from the group’s first meeting that included such priorities as college and STEM career readiness, public awareness and will to support STEM, student interest and performance in STEM, strong teacher preparedness to deliver relevant STEM learning experiences and the appropriate use of technology in meeting these priorities.
“Our next steps will be working toward actions that will swiftly impact student interest and public will to engage in STEM,” explained Jeff Weld, newly-appointed executive director of the Governor’s STEM Advisory Council and meeting facilitator. “Simultaneously this group and the larger Advisory Council will be working on strategic one and five year action plans to grow and sustain STEM education innovations. It's a tall order, but we have great interest, energy, and wisdom in the room and across our state.”
October 31 will be the first meeting of the 40-member Governor’s STEM Advisory Council. To see a complete list of advisory council members, go to http://iowaeducation.iowa.gov/iowa-education-summit/stem/ . To read a summary from the meeting, click here.
The Iowa Mathematics and Science Education Partnership (IMSEP) is a state initiative headquartered at the University of Northern Iowa in partnership with Iowa State University and the University of Iowa. Along with being the administrative office of the Governor's STEM Advisory Council, IMSEP’s goals are to improve mathematics and science performance of Iowa students; to prepare more high quality mathematics and science teachers for Iowa’s schools; and to promote statewide collaboration and cooperation. For more information regarding IMSEP, go www.iowamathscience.org.