For Immediate Release: February 1, 2013
Contact: Bob Becker
Telephone:(712) 262-1971 x 126
Printer Friendly PDF VersionUnderstanding The Role Of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and Its Interface With a Skilled Workforce
SPENCER, IOWA - The Lakes Area Employers’ Council (ECI) will be meeting on Wednesday, March 20, 2013 from Noon p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Iowa Lakes Community College, 1900 N Grand Ave, Spencer, Iowa 51301. All employers, human resource personnel, accounting, payroll, and other staff members are invited to attend. Featured speaker will be Kari Webb on “Understanding The Role Of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and Its Interface With A Skilled Workforce.”
Kari Webb serves as the Regional Manager for the Governor’s STEM Initiative in Northwest Iowa, with offices located at Iowa Lakes Community College in Estherville. As the NW Iowa STEM Regional Manager, Webb’s goal is to promote STEM educational pathways for Iowa’s students, in collaboration with business partners and higher education. Prior to her position with the Governor’s STEM Initiative, Webb taught chemistry and advanced placement chemistry for Spirit Lake High School. Recently, Webb worked in the areas of academic innovation and technology integration, spearheading pilot programs in project-based learning and competency-based pathways.
Created in July 2011 by Executive Order 74, the Governor’s STEM Advisory Council is a partnership of business, policy and education leaders from across the state convening to bolster STEM education and innovation and better position Iowa's young people and the state's economy for the future. The Council is co-chaired by Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds and University of Northern Iowa's President Benjamin Allen. The executive director of the Governor’s STEM Advisory Council is Dr. Jeff Weld, who was the director of the former Iowa Mathematics and Science Education Partnership (IMSEP). The Governor's STEM Advisory Council identified targeted areas supporting the goals listed in the Governor's Executive Order 74. These priorities address the most pressing challenges facing STEM education in the state of Iowa. The top priority—student interest and achievement—is currently being addressed with the infusion of nearly 2.7 million dollars of grant funding to place high quality STEM programming in formal and non-formal educational settings across Iowa.
Iowa’s future economic competitiveness and quality of life is critically dependent on our K-12 education system’s performance in preparing a scientifically literate populace and increasing the pipeline of students who select STEM careers to support Iowa’s innovation driven business and economic vision. Based upon clear successes in other states, a strong systemic partnership between the public, private and relevant non-profit sectors is critical for building a skilled workforce in Iowa.
Participants are encouraged to register by Friday, March 15, 2013. Robert.Becker@iwd.iowa.gov. to register or call (712) 262-1971 x 126. Class is free and eligible for 1.5 hours of HRCI credit.
The Lakes Area Employers’ Council is a local employer group supported by Iowa Workforce Development Region 3 and 4, and is part of the statewide Employers’ Council of Iowa system. This employer’s group addresses workforce issues, and provides both educational and networking opportunities for employers and human resource professionals. Contact Bob Becker at Robert.Becker@iwd.iowa.gov. if you have questions about this training session or about the Lakes Area Employers’ Council.
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