The STEM Action Center in conjunction with the Salt Lake Center for Science Education hosted 120 teachers from 55 schools representing more than 22,000 students currently being taught in the Utah education system. The teachers gathered to receive a full day of training on the eleven different technologies that have been chosen for STEM implementation in the upcoming school year. As directed by HB139, the pilot program consists of two different components. The first is to provide mathematics instructional technology to students in grades 6-8. The second is to support mathematics instruction for secondary students to prepare them for college mathematics courses. The pilot is being implemented this fall.
Eleven teaching technologies have been selected for the pilot. The technologies being evaluated range from full curricula to interventional technologies and were all chosen after a careful vetting process that included experts selected the from the community; including representatives from, the Utah State Office of Education, Utah System of Higher Education, Government and private industry.
Representatives from the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, the Utah State Office of Education and the Chair of the STEM Action Center Board, Jeffery R. Nelson, were on hand to thank the teachers and welcome Senator Howard A. Stephenson.
The STEM Action Center has been established to help to drive research and implementation of STEM education best practices across Utah. The STEM Action Center will leverage funds appropriated by the State Legislature in HB139 and private donations to create a hub of collaboration for STEM related activities.
