Hawaii has been awarded one of six grants from the National Governors Association (NGA) to advance science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education. The two-year, $500,000 grant will support the state's Innovation Initiative to transform the state’s economy from one based on land development to one based on innovation and developing Hawaii’s human capital.
Twenty-four states competed for the grants, which are funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Intel Corp., to help support a STEM center or network of STEM centers as part of the NGA’s nationwide effort to promote STEM education.
“Receiving this grant from among so many national applicants is a validation of our vision and our commitment to ensuring that Hawaii is at the forefront of STEM training and education,” said Gov. Linda Lingle. “Our economic future depends on improving the education of our youth and expanding the skills of working adults to meet the needs of changing technology and Hawaii’s emerging industries.”
In awarding the grant, the NGA selection committee noted that it was impressed with Hawaii’s proposal, which aims to develop two STEM centers operated by community colleges that will target students who do not traditionally take advanced placement or international baccalaureate courses in STEM. The committee also noted Hawaii’s proposal included a professional development component, and development of an outcomes assessment of the state’s STEM student initiatives.
The selection of Hawaii by the committee was credited to the state’s emphasis on conceptual learning, as well as strong legislative and gubernatorial support. The committee concluded that the state is moving in the right direction, and that Hawaii has many lessons to offer on STEM education and its connections to the economy because of its global diversity and access to the Pacific Rim.
“This prestigious award recognizes that Hawaii’s Innovation Initiative is in alignment with the national consensus that America must step up to the challenge of a more competitive global economy,” said Theodore E. Liu, director of the state's Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism. “This is also recognition that Hawaii's STEM academies are the key to developing an innovation edge. STEM learning has the power to inspire the innate passion, curiosity and intelligence of all Hawaii’s students, and to unleash their capacity to innovate, succeed and compete with anyone, anywhere in the world.”
