麻州2023科技工程數學週今日啟動

麻州教育廳廳長Patrick Tutwiler為2023年STEM週開幕致詞。(周菊子攝)

麻州副州長Kim Driscoll 致詞。 (周菊子攝)

             (Boston Orange 周菊子摘譯) 麻州副州長Kim Driscoll，教育廳廳長Patrick Tutwiler，16日早上在波士頓大學最新，也是新英格蘭最綠化的電腦及數據科學中心大樓，宣佈鼓勵學生投入相關科目研修，訂10月16日至20日舉行的麻州2023年STEM (科技工程數學)週，即刻啟動。

麻州學校師生有二、三百人出席了啟動式。 (周菊子攝)

              麻州政府選定的2023年STEM週主題為「你的科技工程數學未來，是我們的科技工程數學未來(YOUR STEM future is OUR STEM future)」。Kim Driscoll副州長強調，政府希望學生們能夠藉著STEM週，或是藉由清潔能源創新職業通道(clean energy innovation career pathway)，了解到所有的相關人力培訓機會與項目。她和麻州州長奚莉希望教育者和企業雇主為下一代打開大門，鋪出康莊大道。

會場展示的海報之一。 (周菊子攝)

              在啟動式現場，陳列有許多幼稚園到12年級學生在做的科研項目，包括探討清潔查理士河方法，消除氣候錯誤資訊的方法，鼓動人們對STEM教育有更多興趣的方法等。

              麻州教育廳指出，40%多的麻州經濟是以STEM領域的工作為中心，包括先進製造、資訊科技，醫療護理，生物科技和清潔能源，意味著為學生改善STEM通道，和麻州的人需求直接相關。如果要因應STEM經濟快速成長的需求，麻州政府在2024會計年度中撥款4640萬元給大學先修及創新通道項目，比之前一年的會計年度增加了1400萬元。上個月還又撥了65萬元做創新職業通道計畫補助，以支持學校發展新的職業通道，包括6個新的清潔能源通道項目。

              每年十月第三個星期舉辦的STEM週，由教育廳以及STEM理事會，和9個區域STEM網路合作舉辦。整個麻州的學校，大學院校，博物館，企業都會為所有年齡層的學生舉辦以STEM為焦點的活動。

              查詢麻州各地的STEM活動，可上網www.mass.gov/stemweek。

Healey-Driscoll Administration Kicks Off Massachusetts’ 2023 STEM Week

Week of Events Themed “YOUR STEM Future is OUR STEM Future” Will Highlight STEM Pathways for MA Students, Connects STEM Innovation to Climate Solutions   

BOSTON – Today, Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll joined Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler to kick off the annual Massachusetts STEM Week, a weeklong series of events across the state to encourage students to see themselves in STEM and highlight the variety of educational and workforce training opportunities in STEM fields available to students of all ages. This year, the Healey-Driscoll administration has chosen “YOUR STEM future is OUR STEM future,” as the theme of STEM Week 2023, to emphasize that current students are the next generation of scientists, engineers, and inventors whose innovations will define the future, including continued efforts address the climate crisis. 

STEM Week is a call to action for educators and employers across Massachusetts to help open doors for our youngest generation, especially to STEM pathways,” said Governor Maura Healey. “By empowering each and every one of our students to explore every option available to them, and allowing them to see STEM as a viable, exciting pathway to their future, we will inspire the next generation of STEM innovators and the future leaders in our efforts to combat the climate crisis.” 
“We depend on the math, science, technology, and engineering students of today to be the industry leaders of tomorrow. And in the context of the global climate crisis, Massachusetts also depends on future STEM leaders and innovators to deliver progress and sustainable solutions as we fight for a cleaner planet,” said Lt. Governor Driscoll. “This STEM Week, we really want students to learn about all the STEM opportunities and programming available to them, whether it’s through the clean energy innovation career pathway, pursuing a nursing degree, or even participating in a STEM internship.” 

Lt. Governor Driscoll and Secretary Tutwiler were joined at the STEM Week Kickoff Event and young scientist exhibition by k-12 students in the Boston area, as well as students, faculty and staff at Boston University. The event was held at Boston University’s Center for Computer and Data Sciences, the largest fossil-free building in Boston and one of the greenest buildings in all of New England. At the kickoff, the Lt. Governor signed the proclamation officially declaring October 16th through 20th STEM Week in the Commonwealth. Students presented a variety of STEM projects, exploring ways to clean the Charles River, solutions for eliminating climate misinformation, and even ways to encourage more interest in STEM education. 

“Our current students are the next generation of scientists, engineers, and inventors whose future innovations will serve to tackle the challenges we face as a society, and to illuminate possibilities we don’t yet know exist—but we have to help get them there. STEM Week will help students realize and explore potential futures in high demand industries, where they can find successful and fulfilling careers,” said Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler. “I am so grateful to the schools, colleges and universities, museums and businesses that are hosting engaging events where students can see firsthand how exciting and meaningful a future in STEM can be.” 

“Answering society’s greatest challenges will depend on innovation from people with STEM backgrounds. So many of the heroes who emerged from the pandemic were the scientists and engineers who, in record time, invented, manufactured, and distributed inexpensive COVID tests, robotic-driven, large-scale PCR testing, and a new vaccine technology and delivery system. Looking forward, the dual task of sustaining our world’s energy needs while preventing and mitigating catastrophic climate change may be the greatest existential challenge we ever face. Our success will only be possible through the innovative, ambitious, and creative people we attract and educate in the STEM fields,” said Kenneth Lutchen, University Provost and Chief Academic Officer ad interim, Boston University. 

More than 40% of Massachusetts’s economy centers on jobs in STEM fields, including advanced manufacturing, information technology, health care, biotechnology, and clean energy, which means improving STEM pathways for students is directly related to the Commonwealth’s workforce needs. In order to meet the demands of the rapidly growing STEM economy, the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s FY24 budget delivers $46.4 million for Early College and Innovation Pathways, a $14 million expansion over fiscal year 2023, and just last month awarded nearly $650,000 in Innovation Career Pathway planning grants to support schools in developing new career pathways, including six new clean energy pathway programs.  

STEM Week takes place during the third week of October each year and is organized by the Executive Office of Education and the STEM Advisory Council in partnership with the state’s Nine Regional STEM Networks. Across the Commonwealth, schools, colleges and universities, museums and businesses will hold STEM-focused events for students of all ages. For more information about STEM Week and to find STEM events going on across the Commonwealth, visit www.mass.gov/stemweek.