STEM 16 Gains Statewide Recognition

The STEM 16 Committee, a division of the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Technology and Innovation Council, has won the Virginia Department of Education’s Creating Excellence 2012 State Business and Industry Award of Recognition. The statewide award recognizes programs and partnerships that promote excellence in career and technical education. The STEM 16 Committee also won the Creating Excellence Award for Region 3. Members of the STEM 16 Committee accepted the awards at a June 14 luncheon.

(from left to right: Hap Connors, Mary Garber, Stephanie Johnson and Kathy Burant)

“It was an honor to join members of our STEM 16 team in Richmond to accept not one, but two awards in recognition of the tremendous strides we are making in advancing educational programs that are helping us develop future workers and leaders who will build our region's innovation economy,” said Hap Connors, chairman of the Technology and Innovation Council.

Stafford County Public Schools nominated STEM 16 for the honor. The committee’s mission is to encourage the growth of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) programs in Planning District 16, composed of the City of Fredericksburg and the counties of Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania and Stafford. The crowning achievement of STEM 16’s efforts to date was last year’s first annual STEM Summit. Sponsored by local businesses, local departments of economic development, community leaders and educational institutions, the event showcased STEM projects prepared by students of Planning District 16. Capt. Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper, USN, commander at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, spoke about serving on two NASA space shuttle missions. 

“The Chamber recognizes the importance of emphasizing the areas of STEM to today’s students so they can be prepared for strong careers in the future. We are proud of the leadership role our Technology and Innovation Council has taken in the commonwealth through the outstanding work of its STEM 16 Committee,” Chamber President Susan Spears said.

STEM 16 is planning its first regional STEM Educator Roundtable to provide an opportunity to exchange ideas and best practices and to evaluate the STEM needs of each locality in the region. In the fall, STEM 16 hopes to launch a regional website that will include STEM articles, regional STEM events, grant opportunities, STEM resources, STEM “in the news,” competitions, and free or low-cost activities/events/services provided by colleges, museums, associations, and non-profit organizations.

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