STEM Action Center

OVERVIEW U.C.A. 63M-1-3201–3211

The STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Action Center prioritizes STEM education, which works to develop Utah’s workforce of the future The program drives research and implementation of STEM education best practices across Utah by coordinating STEM-related activities, creating and supporting STEM education, facilitating educator access to education tools, and aligning public STEM education with higher-education STEM activities

In order to advance STEM initiatives, the STEM Action Center Board will use legislative funding to oversee several projects that align with K-12 education and support the Utah State Office of Education and higher education partners These programs address issues that support outreach, recruitment, retention and student achievement

Additionally, the STEM Action Center will align technology and innovation with industry needs and higher education initiatives to ensure development of the future workforce This will be a safeguard to the state’s economic prosperity by ensuring there is a workforce ready to take on the high-quality and high-paying STEM related careers

The following projects are part of the STEM Action Center’s portfolio, in partnership with the Utah State Office of Education, the Utah System of Higher Education and industry: • Providing innovative approaches to professional development for K-12 educators • Creating an elementary STEM endorsement • Improving Career and Technical Education programming • Deploying digital learning math tools in K-12 classrooms • Supporting industry-recognized STEM certification for high school students

Middle and High School Math Initiative

The STEM Action Center deployed a math digital learning pilot project that has a dual purpose to improve: (1) math proficiency in middle school students and (2) college and career ready math skills in high school students The pilot consisted of eight vendors, 46 schools, 118 teachers and 5,722 students Through the pilot project the Center found students who participated in the pilot project from October 2013 to May 2014 made more progress than would be expected

under normal conditions in a full academic year A copy of the preliminary assessment report can be found at the following link http://stem utah gov/ for-educators/pilot-project/ The pilot would not have been possible without the generous donation of close to half a million dollars in software, licenses and implementation support from the product providers.

ACCESS Program for Women in Mathematics and Science participants.

STEM Fairs, Camps and Competitions

The STEM Action Center helped to increase student participation in fairs, camps and competitions to support STEM education and economic growth in Utah Participation in these activities has been a vital component in motivating and assisting students into STEM career pathways Our office supported students by awarding $220,000 in post-performance grants to K-12 students who detailed their participation in any STEM fair, camp or competition Approximately 1,400 students were impacted this year and the Center reached students from more than 80 different Utah schools

Stan Lockhart speaks at the STEM Utah Media Campaign Launch.

Image from one of the STEM media campaign videos

“Supporting STEM education in Utah is critical Being raised in Utah and attending the University of Utah, I compete against students from around the world Any edge we can give Utah students will only help as they seek scholarships, lab placement, internships and eventually careers ” – Hillary Hansen, University of Utah, Biology major

Industry Engagement

A critical component of the STEM Action Center’s strategic plan is to increase industry engagement The Center has promoted industry involvement within STEM programs and has been actively involved in the STEM media and marketing campaign The campaign is a partnership with Comcast and numerous private companies to help “change the hearts and minds” of the community The campaign was launched in January 2014 with a public event at the Neil Armstrong Academy and included participation of the Governor, many key leaders in the state and community and approximately 50 students Additionally, nearly 10 promotional ads have been created that highlight STEM careers and Utah companies including Merit Medical, Nelson Labs, IMFlash, ATK etc The Center, working with Comcast, is preparing to move from this campaign to create greater awareness which will focus on engagement of students, teachers and parents

The STEM Action Center Board for 2013 was comprised of:

• Jeffery R. Nelson, President and CEO, Nelson Laboratories, Chairman • Val Hale, Executive Director, Governor’s Office of Economic Development,Vice

Chair

• Robert Brems, President, Utah College of Applied Technology • Blair Carruth, Assistant Commissioner for Academic Affairs, Utah System of

Higher Education • Norm LeClair, Chief, Workforce Development Branch, Hill Air Force Base • Gene Levinzon, Managing Director, Goldman Sachs • Stan Lockhart, Government Affairs Manager, IM Flash Technologies • Martell Menlove, Superintendent, State Board of Education • Jefferson Moss, Represents District 11, State Board of Education • Richard Nelson, President and CEO, Utah Technology Council • Tami Pyfer, Director of Education, Governor’s Office • Bert VanderHeiden, Vice President of Aerospace Structures, ATK • Brad Rencher, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Digital Marketing,

Adobe

For additional information about the STEM Action Center visit STEM.utah.gov or contact Sue Redington, Program Manager at sredington@utah.gov or 801-538-8697