SHAHEEN PRAISES NEW HAMPSHIRE COMMITMENT TO STEM EDUCATION

(Washington, D.C.) –U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) today applauded a new commitment by New Hampshire’s two public higher education systems to increase the number of graduates with degrees in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The University System of New Hampshire and the Community College System of New Hampshire today agreed to a joint effort to increase the number of graduates in STEM fields by 50% by 2020, and to double the number of graduates by 2025.

Shaheen has long been a strong advocate for STEM education and has introduced the Innovation Inspiration School Grant Program, legislation that provides new incentives and resources to high schools to adopt STEM programs.

“To maintain our competitive edge in the global economy, and to prepare our young people for the jobs of tomorrow, we must support education in science and technology today,” Shaheen said. “Promoting STEM education at the college level is the right thing to do, and I commend New Hampshire’s education leaders for their commitment to this effort.  We need to match this effort with renewed commitment to STEM education at the elementary, junior and high school levels. It’s never too early to get kids interested.”

Shaheen’s Innovation Inspiration School Grant Program would allow high schools to compete for federal grants to support non-traditional education in STEM fields.  It encourages schools to establish partnerships with the private sector, both for material support and to provide mentors who can serve as role models, further enriching students’ learning experiences.

The bill has been endorsed by diverse groups such as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, FIRST Robotics, the New Hampshire Association of School Administrators and the New Hampshire Association of School Principals, as well as companies such as Autodesk, BAE Systems, DEKA Research, Insight Technology, PTC and SAIC.