2018 Issue

48 “The demand for the Utah STEM Bus is overwhelming, and we are working hard to reach all students who are eager for STEM experiences,” said Dr. Tamara Goetz, Utah STEM Action Center executive director. “The Utah STEM Bus represents the magic that can happen when industry works with public partners to support STEM education.” The Utah STEM Bus curriculum includes 3-D printing, computer programming, video game design, renewable energy and robotics—in fact, a student-engineered robot wielded the scissors at the official ribbon cutting for the bus in August. Utah STEM Schools Designation brings deserved recognition, opens opportunities As the STEM Action Center works to provide opportunities where they are missing, the center also works to highlight the excellent opportunities already available. One way it does this is through the Utah STEM Schools Designation. The Utah State Board of Education (USBE) and STEM Action Center co-developed the Utah STEM Schools Designation program to better define and standardize the elements that create a comprehensive STEM learning environment for Utah students. The designation is about as official as it could pos- sibly get: it is written into state law (Utah Code 63M-1-3204). The program furthers schools’ opportunities to engage in STEM-related initiatives with community and industry part- ners and work with faculty to develop strong instruction for students to prepare them for college and careers. “The STEM designation provides an opportunity for schools, administrators and teachers to define, establish and share standards and metrics that support the use of effective best practices in STEM education across Utah,” Goetz said. “The program, most importantly, recognizes and showcases out- standing work in STEM education by Utah schools.” Applicants submit comprehensive digital portfolios that demonstrate excellence in STEM education, including student project-based learning, community partnerships and support for teacher professional learning. A review committee including teachers, administrators and commu- nity council members evaluated the portfolios and visited the schools. To date, 26 Utah K-12 schools have received designations at platinum, gold, silver and bronze levels. The designation is to be renewed every five years. Industry spotlight: US Synthetic The STEM Action Center also strives to draw attention to good work among Utah industry leaders. In its weekly STEM Spotlights, the center highlighted US Synthetic this past year. The Orem-based company, the largest manufac- turer of diamond cutters in the world, is often recognized for its community involvement. The company received a 2014 Governor’s Medal for Science and Technology be- cause of its contributions. In 2015, US Synthetic cut the ribbon for a new storefront at a Junior Achievement learning center. Junior Achievement, a worldwide program that helps young people prepare for the real world by educating them in work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy, has an experiential learning center in Salt Lake City called JA City. Understanding the importance of investing in the future workforce, US Synthetic now sends 2-3 employees almost daily to volunteer at JA City, helping to engage students in science, technology, engineering and math. The company has built partnerships with other organiza- tions including the STEM Action Center, Utah STEM Fest, Ken Garff Keys to Success, Ifini D Learning, Utah Underwa- ter Robotics, Utah Valley University, Brigham Young Univer- sity and several Utah school districts. “Industry-led initiatives help students gain awareness for career opportunities they might never know exist,” said Alli- son Spencer, Utah STEM Action Center Foundation direc- tor. The Foundation is an offshoot of the Utah STEM Action Center created to manage industry-provided funds. Part- nerships managed by the STEM Action Center Foundation