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STEM receives $20K grant
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AT&T spokesman Steve Kristan talks about a $20,000 grant for the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Outreach Initiative from the AT&T Foundation. The initiative is a partnership among Youngstown State University’s STEM College, Youngstown City Schools’ Chaney STEM High School, AT&T and area employers aimed at encouraging Youngstown high school students to pursue college degrees and careers in STEM.
By Denise Dick
Youngstown
A $20,000 grant from the AT&T Foundation will help fund internships for city school students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math fields.
The STEM Outreach Initiative announced Tuesday at Youngstown State University is a partnership between the university, Chaney STEM High School, AT&T and area employers.
Martin Abraham, dean of YSU’s STEM College, said the idea came from the university’s STEM Advisory Council, comprised of business representatives, as a way to get more students interested in STEM careers.
Many students come to college and find they have to take STEM-related courses that they didn’t take in high school when those classes would have been free, he said.
The STEM Outreach Initiative will provide the opportunity for students to engage in STEM fields while still in high school, benefiting the students, city schools, YSU, businesses and the community as a whole, Abraham said.
“STEM education is imperative to Youngstown’s growth as a leader in sustainable energy, advanced materials and technology,” Abraham said in a news release. “To be successful, the Youngstown area will require technologically advanced and highly skilled STEM professionals. This initiative will inspire high- school students to pursue STEM careers by nurturing and mentoring past and current YSU STEM students by providing them with career experiences that give them a deep understanding of the opportunities of STEM education.”
As part of a restructuring plan, the city school district opened Chaney as a STEM and visual and performing arts school for students in sixth through 12th grades this year.
Superintendent Connie Hathorn said the district is trying to get students interested in STEM fields at a young age to prepare them for jobs that are available.
Stephen Kristan, director of external affairs for AT&T, said STEM is integral not only to communications technology but to every business and the growth of the economy.
Steve Giangiordano, executive vice president for technology and innovation at RTI International Metals in Niles, said that both at RTI and the aerospace industry as a whole there’s a shortage of qualified STEM professionals.
“Today we rely heavily on people who are non-U.S. citizens,” he said.
That’s great for diversity, Giangiordano said, but can pose challenges in area of work status.
“We think that reaching back to high-school students is essential” for getting them prepared for STEM careers, he said.
The decision was made focus on the city schools to address populations that are under-represented in STEM disciplines including economically disadvantaged, blue collar, first-college generation, and minorities, Abraham said.
The internship program is set to start this summer for Chaney STEM students. The initiative also will include tutoring and mentoring activities to engage YSU STEM students and recent graduate to help STEM students. It also will provide scholarships to students who graduate from Chaney STEM, complete the internship program and enroll in YSU’s STEM College.