{"id":15688,"date":"2021-03-23T09:00:03","date_gmt":"2021-03-23T13:00:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsroom.ocfl.net\/?p=15688"},"modified":"2022-01-12T12:06:58","modified_gmt":"2022-01-12T17:06:58","slug":"stem-strong-orange-county-strengthens-its-commitment-to-students-through-stem-learning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsroom.ocfl.net\/2021\/03\/stem-strong-orange-county-strengthens-its-commitment-to-students-through-stem-learning\/","title":{"rendered":"STEM Strong: Orange County Strengthens its Commitment to Students through STEM Learning"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last month, Orange County Public Schools<\/a> hosted the inaugural Biomedical Science Challenge, which featured\u00a0Project Lead-the-Way\u2019s<\/a> Biomedical Science module \u2013 the COVID-19 Pandemic<\/em>.\u00a0It was an industry-based challenge that asked students to take on the role of a public health official, then tasked them with providing solutions to the ongoing global health crisis.<\/p>\n

\u201cParticipating in these STEM initiatives is one of the most powerful ways to make an impact,\u201d said Daniella Sullivan, Orange County Health Services<\/a> Administrator, who helped judge the competition. \u201cAs leaders, we need to encourage future generations and recognize this talent and mentor them now, before they go off to college.\u201d<\/p>\n

Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings provided the keynote for the event. Funding for the challenge originated from a grant awarded by Orange County\u2019s Innovation and Emerging Technology Office<\/a> through its Scientific Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Workforce Development Initiative.<\/p>\n

The Initiative supports community organizations that provide STEM career training, and it echoes Mayor Demings\u2019 vision of creating an ideal experimental prototype community of tomorrow (EPCOT) by providing innovative and inclusive local career paths for our community\u2019s youth.<\/p>\n

\u201cMayor Demings has his vision for the community to be one that works for all, and in order for that to happen, we need to have a variety of career paths for everyone,\u201d said Andrea Wesser-Brawner, Chief Innovation & Emerging Technology Officer. \u201cThe best STEM learning happens in informal settings. Kids \u2013 especially those in underserved communities \u2013 want to solve problems and engineer solutions, so exposure to STEM is huge for them.\u201d<\/p>\n

In addition to $238,000 in grant funding that will go to six organizations in 2021, the County will provide videos highlighting Central Florida-based STEM career opportunities. County staff with STEM backgrounds will also be connected to these organizations as mentors, lead a virtual tour or provide \u201cteach-in\u201d resources. A variety of career paths will be featured throughout these programs, from technician\/machinists, to environmental and biological backgrounds, to engineering and computer-related professionals.<\/p>\n

In return for these resources, the organizations are required to report a variety of impact metrics, guaranteeing diverse student populations are given equitable access to these programs. In its first year alone, the initiative is expected to expose at least 15,000 Orange County-based middle, high school and higher education students to the endless possibilities of STEM careers, while also providing more than 750 local teachers access to STEM-related resources.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur goal is to ensure kids know there are powerful STEM careers in their futures and this region has a great deal to offer when it comes to technology and innovation,\u201d added Wesser-Brawner. \u201cWe want to provide the experts and let the kids meet individuals like them \u2013 both in gender and race \u2013 so they get excited about STEM careers.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u00a0Organizations awarded grants from Orange County\u2019s STEM initiative: <\/strong><\/p>\n