Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces 2024 STEM Summit
Summit at Bridgewater State University to focus on computer science education and careers
WESTBOROUGH – The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced today, during the STEM Advisory Council Meeting at the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, that the annual STEM Summit will be held on May 15 at Bridgewater State University. The theme this year focuses on the evolving computer science education and workforce landscape, with equity at its core – uplifting the diverse needs, interests, and perspectives of students, educators, and employers. As the computer science workforce continues to grow, the administration is promoting opportunities that enable more diverse and inclusive pathways for interested students.
“In Massachusetts, we want to open doors for our young people, especially to STEM pathways. This year’s STEM Summit provides a unique opportunity to educate students about fulfilling careers in STEM in partnership with employers and educators,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We want to encourage all of our students, regardless of their circumstance, zip code, or socioeconomic status, to explore every option available to them. By empowering them to see STEM as a viable, exciting pathway to their future, we will inspire the next generation of innovators in growing sectors like computer science.”
“Careers in computer science stretch across many industries, from manufacturing to health care. When we lift up careers in computer science for all of our students, we strengthen the tech sector workforce pipeline and our state’s economy, driving our competitiveness and building a brighter future for all,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, co-chair of the STEM Advisory Council. “This year’s Summit will build on our progress from last year that set the foundation for addressing barriers to access and improving equity – ensuring that women, people of color, and other underrepresented groups in STEM get a shot at opportunities into these critical fields.”
“We want to empower all Massachusetts students to gain computer science skills and make informed IT career and college choices. That’s why the STEM Summit will promote innovative access points and pathways with new opportunities for student engagement. In collaboration with industry partners, it will also highlight deeper hands-on instruction and provide wider access to work-based learning experiences, inspiring students, particularly those who were historically excluded, to see themselves in these fields,” said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler.
The 2024 Massachusetts STEM Summit will showcase opportunities for all students, regardless of their circumstance, zip code, or socioeconomic status, to study computer science and pursue fulfilling careers in the tech sector. The summit will feature captivating speakers representing innovative Computer Science work occurring across the Commonwealth’s educator and employer partnerships, as well as collaborative panels that engage students, educators, and workforce partners with a common goal of advancing the state’s IT talent pipeline.
“Massachusetts is rich in talent, we have the brightest young minds here that are changing the STEM industry with their innovations,” said Secretary of Economic Development Yvonne Hao. “As our administration delves into the realm of AI, we’re excited that the STEM Summit will open doors for students in computer science, empowering them with essential skills for the future workforce.”
“Massachusetts students today need to be a focal point as we strategically plan and invest for our future workforce,” said Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones. “The administration’s Workforce Skills Cabinet looks forward to engaging with students, educators, industry, and workforce leaders for the annual STEM Summit and throughout the year to increase student learning and exposure for STEM pathways and careers in Massachusetts.”
The STEM Summit aims to inspire the next generation of leaders in computer science here in Massachusetts and highlight ways the state can address inequities in education and career pathways. In the 21-’22 school year, 83 percent of High School students had access to a computer science course, but only 6.6 percent took advantage of them. Less than 30 percent of the students who took a computer science course were female, Black students participated at a lower rate than their population in the state and Hispanic students were 1.5 times less likely to take the courses than their white and Asian peers. Furthermore, these disparities continue in the workforce. According to Lightcast data, women remain severely underrepresented in the tech sector, making up only 26 percent of tech workers and less than 10 percent of workers are Black or Hispanic.
For more information on this year’s STEM Summit visit Mass.gov/StemSummit. The STEM Summit is organized by the Executive Office of Education and the STEM Advisory Council. The STEM Advisory Council was established to expand access to high-quality STEM education for students across Massachusetts, and is currently co-chaired by Lieutenant Governor Driscoll, U.S Congressman Jake Auchincloss and Chairman, President and CEO of Vertex Pharmaceuticals Dr. Jeffery Leiden.
“Innovation Pathways puts young people in the driver’s seat at home and in the classroom so they can succeed in their careers,” said Carolyn Kirk, CEO, Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech). “We are proud to support this effort, build a more robust STEM workforce, and develop the talent of tomorrow.”
沒有留言:
發佈留言