Destito: Dialogue on STEM Education Should be Conducted in Utica-Rome Area

(Utica, NY) Roundtable discussions on the state’s Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) curriculum have taken place in Troy and Buffalo, and likely will be conducted in Syracuse, but not in the Utica area and Assemblywoman RoAnn M. Destito (D/WF-Rome) says a roundtable also should take place in the Mohawk Valley region. The discussions are being conducted by the New York State Board of Regents, and the Empire State STEM Education Initiative at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy.

“These dialogue sessions have been set up to discuss the current shortage of people who can fill highly technical jobs,” Destito said. “It is critically important at a time when we have built a partnership with SUNYIT and the University of Albany to establish a nanotechnology research center here in the Mohawk Valley that this dialogue take place in this region.”

Destito has written to the Chancellor of the Board of Regents, Meryl Tisch, and to State Board of Regents member Anthony Bottar of Syracuse, requesting them to consider facilitating a STEM initiative discussion in the Utica area.

Destito says when a company considers the SUNYIT nanotechnology site in Marcy as the location for a computer chip manufacturing center or other high-tech venture, the quality of the local workforce that would be employed there is extremely important. She says the recent proposal by the Whitesboro School District to introduce a nanotechnology curriculum for interested students is an example of a partnership between a school district and the private sector to encourage students to consider a career in the growing field.

“These roundtable discussions are taking place to develop a strategy for advancing STEM education efforts statewide, to create a more innovative and competitive workforce that can fill high technology jobs,” Destito said. “This effort will be crucial to the development of both the nanotechnology research center, and the Marcy Nanotech site at SUNYIT, and I have written to the State Board of Regents, and the Project Director of the Empire State STEM program urging them to include the Mohawk Valley region in this important discussion. There are many people in our region who are extremely knowledgeable on this subject, and who can add a great deal to the conversation.”

Destito: Dialogue on STEM Education Should be Conducted in Utica-Rome Area

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