The Utah STEM Action Center in partnership with the National Defense Industrial Association and the Aerospace Industries Association will hold the first Utah STEM Call-to-Action Forum on August 19 from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and August 20 from 7 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. at the Weber State University Shepherd Union Building.
The forum is an opportunity for educators and key industry stakeholders to engage in local dialogue on how to increase the quality of STEM education; the quantity of STEM educated graduates that are eligible for employment in the Aerospace and Defense (A&D) industries, as well as other STEM-related industries; and the amount and effectiveness of engagement by A&D employers, working in partnership with others in their communities.
Forum attendees will hear from esteemed speakers and panelists including:
- Michael Lach – Director of STEM Education and Strategic Initiatives at the Center for Elementary Mathematics and Science Education and the Urban Education Institute of the University of Chicago
- Dr. Tamara L. Goetz, Ph.D. – Executive Director of the Utah STEM Action Center
- Stan Lockhart – Utah State Board of Education
- Peter Larson – Senior Manager of Engineering Workforce at the Boeing Company
Dr. Tamara Goetz, executive director of the Utah STEM Action Center, said this event is not just an opportunity for discussion but a chance to establish goals and act on those goals.
“The Utah STEM community has made incredible progress over the past two years to promote and enhance STEM education and workforce opportunities for Utah students,” she said. “This conference is a chance for the STEM community to engage and identify critical actions that can be taken to continue this successful collaboration.”
Panel discussion topics include:
- Secondary, Post-Secondary and Industry Collaborations: Creating a Synergistic Pipeline
- Mentoring: Thinking Outside the Box
- Branding and Marketing STEM: Sending the Right Message
- Problem-Based Learning (PBL): Keeping it Real
- Lessons from our Neighbors: Regional Proven Practices
- Who Has the Data and Is It Working for Us?
- Point/Counterpoint: Industry and Education Take on the Tough Issues
Online registration is now closed, but registration will be available at the door both Tuesday and Wednesday. For more information, visit the event website at www.stemcalltoaction.com.