Colorado STEM has added six science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs ideal for investment to its STEMWorks database.Three of the programs in the database were newly added, the three others moved up in the program, joining a number of other programs in the database that the organizers deem investment worthy for business leaders, funders and advocates.
Colorado STEMworks lists more than 20 programs as potentially worthy of investment, up from seven programs in its first year. These include locally grown programs like Denver Public Schools CareerConnect, Denver Museum of Nature and Science's Urban Advantage Metro Denver and local versions of Smithsonian Science Education Center's Leadership Assistance for Science Education Reform.
Adams 12 Five Star Schools, STEMinspired, Open World Learning and ST Math were added to the Colorado STEMworks database. KidsTek and LAB-AIDS boosted their status in the database from "Promising to Accomplished."
"Defining quality in STEM education and supporting programs to meet a high bar of excellence for Colorado students ensures that companies have a way to make meaningful investments in education," said Angela Baber, STEM Director of the Colorado Education Initiative (CEI). "We are delighted to be welcoming more programs into this growing coalition of STEM programs that we know deliver results for Colorado kids and Colorado companies." The STEMworks database is organized by CEI and the Colorado Technology Association using the national Change the Equation model of application and review to add programs.
The program has drawn investments from major local companies like Arrow Electronics. "Arrow's investment in STEMworks is an opportunity to help shape the next generation of employees," said Alex West, corporate social responsibility manager at Arrow. "Will they work for Arrow some day? Who knows, but I certainly hope so."
Contact Confluence Denver Innovation & Jobs News Editor Chris Meehan with tips and leads for future stories at chris@confluence-denver.com.
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.