North Texas ISDs working with Metroplex Technology Business Council today to create a capable STEM workforce for tomorrow
Metroplex Technology Business Council (MTBC), the largest technology trade organization in Texas, has joined together with career and technical administrators from top school districts on its third MTBC science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) Summit. The primary objective of the MTBC STEM initiative is to facilitate the technology community's sustainable impact on building a work-ready technical workforce through strategies that enhance and encourage STEM education.
“We at the MTBC have continued to deepen our commitment to STEM priorities because we repeatedly hear from our members about how the technical workforce pipeline needs to grow,” said Bill Sproull, MTBC president. “Our members can make STEM come alive for young students in our community by sharing their knowledge in their field, and by talking about their own love of math and science.”
One MTBC member particularly passionate about the STEM cause is Keith Bryan, MTBC talent team co-chair and Cisco director of strategy and planning Americas. “In order for the North Texas technology community to grow, we need to have smart kids pursuing STEM degrees who want to stay in North Texas. We believe that building a pathway for students to learn about the exciting opportunities and challenging requirements for STEM careers is the best way to build the workforce pipeline.”
MTBC has held several MTBC STEM summit sessions with six North Texas school districts during the 2012-2013 school year: Frisco ISD, Irving ISD, McKinney ISD, Plano ISD, Richardson ISD and Wylie ISD, along with University of Texas Dallas, CollinCollege, and RichlandCollege. The collaborative group discussions focused on the challenges and engagement opportunities for developing professional volunteers who can relate STEM content. Strategies that came from the sessions included defining pathways to relate the schools’ project-based learning curriculum to real-world applications, and marketing the importance of strong STEM education to students, parents, and educators.
“We are extremely fortunate to be surrounded by great corporate and educational partners dedicated to helping create the highly skilled workforce the Metroplex needs,” said Dr. David Vinson, Wylie ISD superintendent. “When you consider the number of tech jobs available in this area, we need to do everything we can to ensure our public schools are meeting the needs of MTBC companies today and tomorrow.”
Math and science can create wide-eyed wonder with students, and the promise that the projects that are ‘so cool!’ could translate into ‘work’ have enthused local students. Eighteen-year-old, Wylie East High School senior Kevin Saygi said, “I’ve always loved robotics and my science classes, but I never really knew that was ‘engineering’ or how many types of engineering are out there—at least not until I was in high school. I wish I’d known that earlier so I could have started planning my science and math courses before I ever even got to high school.” Kevin believes that if junior high students knew more about engineering before high school, they could better prepare for the future.
The MTBC continues to prove that 'Technology lives here' by growing future tech leaders with its talent and workforce development initiative, advocating technology's advancement in governmental arenas, and connecting people and inspiring ideas through its programs and special interest groups.