Drew Wilson
State Sen. Aaron Bean this week delivered $975,000 to an organization working to train students in 21st century fields, such as robotics and computer programming.
The Fernandina Beach Republican worked during the 2018 Legislative Session to secure the funding for Northeast Florida-based STEM2 Hub, headed by Kathleen Schofield.
Careers in STEM, an acronym of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, are some of the highest-paying jobs available, and some fields under that umbrella face major workforce shortages.
The money will be used to for STEM2 Hub’s Northeast Florida 21st Century Workforce Development project, which aims to prepare students for in-demand career fields in an evolving workforce. The organization will bring mathematics-based curriculum, along with coding and robotics to targeted schools
“It is so important that we give all students the opportunity to grow competent in the skills of problem solving and critical thinking,” Schofield said. “We must make students feel connected to community and business leaders, as well as to their schools, so that they see a pathway to their own success.”
Bean said the funding aligns with his vision of education in the Sunshine State. He wants STEM-based opportunities to be available to students early on so “they can realize their truly unlimited potential.”
“This funding moves us closer to fulfilling this vision and provides Northeast Florida’s students with the opportunities needed to compete and excel in the 21st Century,” Bean said.
“The STEM2 Hub project helps schools to continue offering 21st Century Skills Development programs to students in Northeast Florida, with a focus on robotics, coding and workforce-aligned after-school programs and high-quality math instruction. The goal of schools working with the STEM2 Hub is to increase the number of STEM-capable graduates.
