During his two and a half years in Tallahassee, Gov. Rick Scott has made expanding science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education one of his top priorities and there are signs, as families across Florida are getting ready to go back to school, that his agenda is starting to take fruit.
Throughout his term in office, Scott has insisted more STEM education would help prepare students for future jobs.
With demand for online job openings in STEM fields up by more than 10 percent over the year, its clear that a background in science, technology, engineering and math will provide families in the Sunshine State with greater job opportunities, Scott said back at the end of May. Im proud that weve increased enrollment in STEM accelerated coursework and STEM career academies by 5 percent from 2011 to 2012, which means more students are getting the resources needed to land great jobs.
On Thursday, there were clear signs that Florida schools are starting to follow suit. Science Math Master (SM2) announced it would increase its outreach to Florida educators on STEM topics. Looking to improve Floridas high school science teachers, SM2 offers professional development on science and math topics through various vehicles and training programs. SM2 is backed by the state Department of Education, the University of Tampa in partnership with the Florida Independent College Fund, the Heartland Educational Consortium, North East Florida Educational Consortium, Panhandle Area Educational Consortium, the Florida Learning Alliance and the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida (ICUF).
Announcing SM2 will soon expand training to more than 700 science teachers across the state, ICUF President Ed Moore stressed this professional development remains free and is offered online and in person.
I am incredibly proud of the success of the Science Math Master program and the dedicated staff at the University of Tampa who have worked tirelessly to help our public school educators enrich their teaching methods, Moore said. SM2 has afforded Floridas educators with the opportunity to enhance their own knowledge and change the way our students are engaged in STEM subjects.
Professional development programs, like Science Math Master, strengthen Floridas education system, Moore insisted. Building a vested interest in the future success of science- and technology-based industry in our state begins with highly-qualified teachers in our classrooms.
Also on Thursday, the School of Physical and Biological Sciences at Daytona State College unveiled a schedule of free seminars as they hope to expose students and members of the community to various STEM topics.
The seminars are designed to raise awareness of STEM and how these areas affect daily life; everyone is welcome, said Dr. Gajendra Tulsian of Daytona State.
The eight one-hour long seminars will run from early September to early December.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com.
