Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance STEM task force meets with Saginaw Future leaders.

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STEM FOCUS: Regional Leaders to Meet at CMU Nov. 13

September 8, 2014
By: Dave Rogers

Educators and politicians are seeking ways to jump start interest among youth in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM for short).

The Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance, a new group of leaders asserting their influence in the area, will host a STEM Impact Initiative Summit on November 13 at Central Michigan University.

The one-day event will be held at the Central Michigan University Events Center and McGuirk Arena.

"The Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance is committed to building the workforce of tomorrow through comprehensive STEM education and training to meet the growing needs of our current employers and to attract new jobs and companies to the area," said Matthew Felan, President and CEO of Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance, adding:

"The STEM Impact Initiative Summit will serve as the ideal setting to release and discuss the results of our comprehensive study on STEM education in the Great Lakes Bay Region."

Leaders from business and education joined forces last May under the leadership of the Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance to launch the STEM Impact Initiative.

The long-term goal of the Initiative is to increase the number of students who are interested in and prepared to pursue STEM-related careers in the region.

Mr. Felan said researchers from Accenture and Innovate+Educate have been working diligently to conduct research and make recommendations for areas of focus. Those recommendations will be based in part on data gathered from similar communities across the country, as well as from estimates of the future needs of the region?s major employers.

"Central Michigan University is proud to host the 2014 STEM Impact Initiative Summit, with a goal of advancing STEM education across the entire Great Lakes Bay Region," Provost Michael Gealt said. "This is a natural fit for CMU, especially as our new Biosciences building is being constructed. We are honored to collaborate with educators and business leaders in filling the STEM workforce pipeline."

The summit will feature a 9 a.m. keynote speaker, luncheon panel, and afternoon workshops. Further details will be announced in early September. Cost of the STEM Impact Initiative Summit is $50 per person and $25 per person for educators. More details can be found by contacting the Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance by phone at (989) 695-6100 or on the web at www.greatlakesbay.org.

-0- The mission of the Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance is to encourage, support and celebrate regional collaboration and initiatives that will improve the economic vitality and quality of life in the Great Lakes Bay Region. The Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance is comprised of 48 Board Members who represent Bay, Isabella, Midland and Saginaw counties. www.greatlakesbay.com. ###