SHAHEEN: STEM EDUCATION PUTS NEW HAMPSHIRE ON RIGHT ECONOMIC TRACK

(Manchester, NH)—This morning in Manchester, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) met with leaders of the University of New Hampshire’s (UNH) Manchester STEM Discovery Lab where she delivered remarks on the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education. Shaheen met with STEM Ambassadors from UNH STEM Discovery Lab’s STEM Ambassadors Program, which was created in response to the growing need for STEM educated graduates. The program offers a comprehensive approach to supporting students at Central and Memorial High Schools in Manchester while also engaging their teachers, family and members of the broader community.

“Initiatives like UNH’s STEM Ambassadors program put us on the right track for economic success,” Shaheen said. “Jobs in STEM fields are predicted to be the fastest growing occupations in next decade, and with continued investments and commitments to STEM education, we can make sure we have a homegrown talent supply that can drive our economy in the future.”

Shaheen has made promoting STEM education one of her top priorities in the Senate and is a recognized leader by STEM Connector in their 100 Women in STEM publication. Shaheen has met with students across New Hampshire to promote STEM programs and promote policies like the Innovation Inspiration School Grant Program to provide high schools with new incentives to invest in STEM programs. In June, she introduced the Supporting Afterschool STEM Act, which will provide resources to support afterschool STEM programing and strengthen state, local and community partnerships that research has demonstrated are critical in building STEM-relevant skills and interest among students. Shaheen also helped launch and co-chairs the Senate STEM Caucus and has been a longtime supporter of efforts that promote programs like FIRST Robotics since her days as New Hampshire’s governor.