North Carolina Science Summit Builds Momentum for STEM Education
April 20, 2009
UPDATE: Click here to view UNC-TV coverage of the 2009 NC Science Summit from North Carolina Now.
Cary, N.C. – As student ability to effectively compete in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) careers hangs in the balance, nearly 400 educators and leaders gathered at the 2009 North Carolina Science Summit April 19-20 to build momentum for STEM education.
“We live in the age of technology, and we simply can’t afford to neglect science education,” said Dr. Judith Rizzo, Hunt Institute executive director. “It is imperative that we implement a systemic approach that meets the needs of all students. If we fail at this, we fail our students and ultimately, our nation’s ability to compete in the world’s burgeoning growth sectors.”
Session highlights discussed during the two-day Summit included effective instructional practices that support STEM education, preparing students and schools for the future, 21st century learning and assessments, and high performing STEM schools.
“I believe we’ve gotten a little complacent in America, and some of us may still be that way,” said Hunt Institute Foundation chair and former governor Jim Hunt. “This work in the STEM areas is absolutely essential to building prosperity. I want America to be the world’s incubator for innovation—the place in the world where the new ideas are being developed. If we’re going to do that, we must have great schools and we have to be the best in the world in science—much better than we are now.”
Student engagement was emphasized as a critical part of achievement. Ray McNulty, senior vice president of the International Center for Leadership in Education (ICLE) noted, “If you want to close the achievement gap, close the engagement gap. You’ve got to get to know your students on a much higher level. It is absolutely essential.” Dr. Bill Daggett, president of ICLE, added, “If kids are not engaged, you will never get them to high standards. If they think it’s relevant, they will be engaged; relevance makes rigor possible.”
The Summit, initially launched by the James B. Hunt, Jr. Institute for Educational Leadership and Policy in 2007, provides an opportunity for state and out-of-state, educators, business leaders, and policymakers to engage with each other and learn about the most successful models in STEM education. In addition, attendees explore instructional practices and leadership approaches, and engage in how-to sessions that focus on successful strategies and best practices. This year’s event was co-sponsored by Hunt Institute and the NC Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education Center (SMT), with program support provided by the International Center for Leadership in Education (ICLE).
Several challenges were issued to participants from 17 states during the Summit, including the need to incorporate inquiry-based learning, drive school change, and make sure the “3 Rs” do not stand for “read, remember, and regurgitate.”
“It is frightening to know that most people associate deep STEM knowledge strictly with scientists and medicine, when it’s really an entrance card into adulthood,” said SMT president Dr. Sam Houston. “The reality is that we’re surrounded by science and technology, and we’re being consumed by it whether we’re ready or not. People ask, ‘why bother with science and math,’ and the answer is simple: scientific knowledge isn’t solely about students becoming research scientists, it’s about voting, calculating averages, translating percentages, and balancing checkbooks—functions of everyday life.”