The number of students expected to matriculate into the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) workforce has decreased steadily during past years, with only 17 percent of high school students in 2011 demonstrating both an interest and proficiency in the skill-set, according to a 2011 U.S. Education Department study.
The statistic is particularly disconcerting because federal and government contracting agencies critically depend on high-skilled STEM proficient individuals for their progress and innovation.
WashingtonExec’s STEM Council, however, has just the solution: the Council is proud to announce the launch of a K-12 STEM Symposium which aims to connect industry and government executives, students, teachers and nonprofit organizations in a space that will foster communication between the groups to expand the dwindling STEM pipeline, specifically in the National Capital Region (NCR).
Visit: www.stemsymposium.com.
The free symposium will be held March 8 at Nysmith School for the Gifted and invites industry and government representatives to offer early insight to students and their parents about the value of a STEM skill-set by sharing concrete examples which elaborate on the significance of matriculating into the workplace with a STEM degree.
Students, too, will be encouraged to showcase their skill sets and interests, and will be invited to present past and present ideas and science fair projects to industry representatives.
The goal is that students and industry alike will connect with each other and emerge from the symposium with a better idea about the future opportunities available to them in the NCR.
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“This forum is a key opportunity to share industry insights and partner with business, education, and government leaders to connect the dots between science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education and life-long careers,” said Bala Sundar, President & CEO, SyApps
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The symposium touts supporting organizations including the Fairfax County Association for the Gifted, the Children’s Science Center, First E.D., and the Office of Personnel Management among others. Parties interested in connecting with WashingtonExec’s STEM Council for the symposium should inquire here.
Launched last March and chaired by Ed Swallow, Northrop Grumman’s VP of Business Development, the STEM Council provides a forum for interaction between government, non-profits, industry and academia to foster the exchange of knowledge, experience and ideas about STEM in the National Capital Region (NCR).
Four members of the STEM Council will alternate to foster discussion at the inaugural symposium including: Dr. Padhu Seshaiyer, a George Mason University Math professor, Bala Sundar, the founder, president and CEO of SyApps, LLC, Swallow himself, and JD Kathuria, WashingtonExec’s Founder & CEO.
WashingtonExec plans to announce the keynote speaker for the Symposium at a later date.
Please visit our website (STEMSymposium.com) for more information about the program, to learn about our mission and sponsors, and to register for attendance.
Read more about the STEM Council’s past initiatives, including its first “speed networking” event, its kickoff meeting with local STEM leaders from Fairfax County, Arlington County, Montgomery County and DC Public Schools on WashingtonExec. WashingtonExec also covered the latest STEM Caucus at the U.S. Senate regarding the 2014 Fiscal Year Budget earlier this year.
