Funding Announced for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

$100,000 to the Science Foundation Arizona STEM Initiative PHOENIX Science Foundation Arizona has been allocated $100,000 to support the creation of a Statewide STEM Action Network. This network will coordinate a proactive, integrated statewide approach for education in Arizona in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Todays announcement coincides with a gathering of more than 80 leaders from the nonprofit, corporate, education and government sectors, led by Science Foundation Arizona, who came together to focus on developing an aggressive and coordinated course of action to implement a STEM action plan statewide. The seed funds used for this initiative will lay the foundation for Arizona students for years to come and will give them the skills needed to succeed in todays competitive workforce, said Governor Brewer. Arizonas economic future is tied to its educational success. This program will be a public private partnership with the goal to increase achievement for all students through STEM education. This proposal is consistent with Governor Brewers support for STEM education as found throughout the states Race to the Top applications. Following the statewide, bipartisan, collaborative effort for Race to the Top funds, and consistent with the STEM initiative, Arizonas goal remains to ensure that students graduate from high school prepared to succeed in college and careers in the new economy by providing effective instruction to all students year after year. The STEM initiative is intended to benefit all Arizona students and their teachers, with significant emphasis on low-performing, low-income and other underrepresented student populations. "Devoting energy to an aggressive action plan for strengthening and expanding STEM education shows there is a commitment to ensuring children are well-equipped to become successful in school and in life," said Darcy Renfro, Vice-President of Science Foundation Arizona and Executive Director of STEM Initiatives. "The Governors support will help science and math inspire young people and fuel their curiosity to seek answers and solve problems of local and global significance that will advance our state and our country." Arizonas education system must support college and career readiness and the development of the next generation of innovators and informed citizens who will fuel economic growth, said Craig Barrett, former CEO and Chairman of the Board of Intel Corporation and SFAz Board member. STEM education is the critical element. I applaud Governor Brewers commitment to the newly announced Arizona STEM Network, which will help lead and catalyze the states STEM strategy. Arizonas future economy is based upon an educated and skilled workforce. Rigorous and relevant STEM education provides students with the greatest number of options for life and career and bolsters the economic strength of their communities. All students need to graduate from high school with the STEM skills needed to succeed in college or to compete for family wage jobs in the 21st Century. Governor Brewer is committed to doing her part to provide support and resources for this critical and necessary initiative. Science Foundation Arizona will provide the leadership and infrastructure necessary with support from state, private and philanthropic entities to manage the STEM Network for the benefit of all Arizonans. Funding for this STEM project is derived from the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund (SFSF) discretionary monies as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009.