LEXINGTON, Ky. - Kentucky is joining a network of 15 other states focused on improving education in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math – also known as STEM. Education leaders from state government, the University of Kentucky, and the University of Louisville announced the partnership with STEMx Friday.
“There’s not a job that a student can imagine having that doesn’t involve having a sophisticated knowledge of some form of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. Every industry. And to do that, we have to be innovative in the way we teach. We really have to re-invent the way we teach for this new global technological era,” says Eric Fingerhut, Vice President of Education at Battelle Memorial Institute, the nonprofit organization overseeing the STEMx network.
For years several Kentucky organizations have worked to improve STEM education. Organizers say Kentucky’s involvement in the partnership will enhance those outreach efforts .
“We actually officially launched STEMx only this last June when at that time 12 states came together and said we want to work together across state borders and in just six months we’re now at our 16th state network,” says Fingerhut.
Within Kentucky, the UK College of Education will work with teachers, school administrators, and other STEM advocates to develop best practices and share ideas.
