SENATE MEMORIAL 30

52nd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2015

INTRODUCED BY

Mimi Stewart

A MEMORIAL

RECOGNIZING NEW MEXICO PRIVATE-SECTOR SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS EDUCATION PARTNERSHIPS AND REQUESTING A REPORT OF THE PARTNERSHIPS' PROGRESS TO BE MADE TO THE LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION STUDY COMMITTEE.

     WHEREAS, strong science, technology, engineering and mathematics educational programs are vital to the intellectual and economic future of New Mexico and to the United States; and

     WHEREAS, strong mathematics and science education helps create pioneers of the future, who will help move New Mexico to a higher level of excellence; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico science, technology, engineering and mathematics schools, colleges and universities and programs and businesses have made strong efforts to close the disparity between the number of science, technology, engineering and mathematics field college graduates and the number of skilled workers needed by industries; and

     WHEREAS, a career in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields requires an early start, beginning in pre-kindergarten programs; and

     WHEREAS, earlier this year, private-sector partners from Los Alamos national laboratory, Sandia national laboratories, the United States air force research laboratory, Intel corporation, public service company of New Mexico resources and Northrop Grumman signed a proclamation in recognition of the importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields in New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, the private-sector partners are committed to leading the way in sparking mathematics and science inspiration in New Mexico students with hands-on and minds-on science, technology, engineering and mathematics activities that further nurture interest in the pursuit of science, technology, engineering and mathematics careers; and

     WHEREAS, as major employers of the state, the private-sector partners are committed to strengthening the work force pipeline, and in 2013, invested more than eighty million dollars ($80,000,000) in science, technology, engineering and mathematics education for New Mexico, collectively employed more that twenty-six thousand people and contributed over four hundred forty-three thousand volunteer hours for science, technology, engineering and mathematics education and community activities; and

     WHEREAS, the private-sector partners are currently working to certify one thousand new science and mathematics teachers in New Mexico by 2020; and  

     WHEREAS, the private-sector partners are coordinating their efforts with the public education department while serving on the math science advisory council; and

     WHEREAS, current hands-on and minds-on activities for students include the super computing challenge, the electric car challenge, RoboRAVE international and science bowls; and

     WHEREAS, the private-sector partners are providing high- quality, research-based professional development for New Mexico educators; and

     WHEREAS, the relationship fostered by these private-sector partners is becoming the foundation for others to join efforts to collectively put New Mexico at the forefront of science, technology, engineering and mathematics education and work force development;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the importance of private-sector involvement and commitment to preparing a highly skilled work force for New Mexico's future and that the education and voluntary contributions from the private-sector partners be recognized; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the private-sector organizations be requested to report on their progress to the legislative education study committee during the 2015 interim; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the governor, the secretary of public education and leadership of Los Alamos national laboratory, Sandia national laboratories, the United States air force research laboratory, Intel corporation, public service company of New Mexico resources and Northrop Grumman.

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