The first STEM Utah school assembly, designed to inspire students on the value of STEM education, will be broadcast live on Tuesday, Oct. 21 at 1:10 p.m. from the new Olympus High School Commons with Bryan Kehl, seven-season NFL linebacker and STEM advocate, as a featured speaker.
Not only will the one-hour assembly be webcast live on Oct. 21 but it will be broadcast later on KUEN Channel 9, at 1 p.m. on Oct. 23, 24, and 31. It will also be available to view on-demand at the Utah Education Network website; www.uen.org.
Bryan Kehl is a NFL linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New York Giants in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Brigham Young University (BYU) where he graduated in economics. Kehl is a big STEM advocate and will be present at the assembly to speak to students on the importance of STEM education, along with helping to build excitement around the STEM Action Center’s updated website and contests.
The STEM Innovation Awards, or STEMies, will also be announced. This is an awards program with a value of up to $25,000. The STEMies will recognize the semester and year-end achievements of students, teachers, counselors, principals, and mentors. Anyone will be able to make nominations on www.CuriosityUnleashed.com.
The STEM Utah website, www.CuriosityUnleashed.com, which has undergone a major update, will be introduced in a larger effort to reach students, parents and teachers directly. The site will contain a wealth of STEM related videos and resources in a section called the “Curiosity Library.” The intent is to connect students and teachers with industry and the exciting jobs awaiting them. In addition, leaders in STEM industries and education will also contribute to “STEM Talks” in order to share ideas, insights and best-practices. A special section called, “Ideas Unleashed” will be devoted to student contests and STEM related idea sharing on Social Media.
The assembly will be produced by the STEM Utah Coalition in collaboration with the STEM Action Center, of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development. The coalition consists of more than 25 leading Utah companies and organizations who have joined together in support of the STEM Action Center by launching a media campaign entitled “Curiosity Unleashed.” Their goal is to help kids see themselves doing great things and raise awareness of the value of STEM education. These companies are motivated by the fact that their success locally depends upon the STEM educated workforce graduating from high schools, colleges and universities in Utah.
Students will also hear from Fred Lampropoulos, founder, president and CEO of Merit Medical, a global medical device company based in Utah. His inspiring story speaks to the possibility of every Utah student achieving their hopes and dreams.
The assembly will also feature dance and drama performances by students from the Provo and Granger High Schools.
Schools are encouraged to join the webcast live on Oct. 21 at 1:10 p.m. or view the assembly on Channel 9 as scheduled starting Oct. 23. The broadcast will also be available on-demand on UEN.ORG. Portions of the assembly will also be available on www.CuriosityUnleashed.com.