Continuing its work as a nonpartisan advocate for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education in Minnesota SciMathMN is working on engaging legislative candidates in this fall’s election on issues of importance to students, teachers, and families in STEM education.

Education right now is facing a number of significant challenges while coming out of over two years of pandemic disruption, learning delay, and teacher and staff shortages.  At the same time educators see the need to continue to move forward.  Moving Minnesota forward on STEM education means developing a comprehensive plan for computer science education; recruiting, supporting, and retaining STEM teachers; supporting career and technical education opportunities; and support for new science and math academic standards implementation.

SciMathMN encourages other STEM education advocates to engage candidates as they come to your door, attend events in your community, or by reaching out to them directly.  Candidates want to hear from voters about their communities’ priorities.

The 13^th STEM Day at the Minnesota State Fair was another successful event for Fairgoing families, and the Minnesota public and private sector participating sponsors.

Reflecting the increased attendance at the Fair on opening day over the 2021 Fair STEM education providers and supporters saw 15,000 Fairgoers come through Dan Patch Park and engage with exhibitors, while others took in performances on the stage.

Wanting to assure that SciMathMN, as the host organization, continues to work to improve the event, we survey both Fairgoers during the event and participating organizations after.  Perhaps the most telling result from participants is that 94% said their goals for the day were well or very well met, and that 88% indicated that they will definitely apply to participate again next year.

Building on past years results a growing number of Fairgoers, 44%, report that they come on the opening day of the Fair specifically to enjoy STEM Day with their families.  Fairgoers also indicted that they want more information on how to support their children in pursuing STEM education opportunities through Minnesota’s K-12 school system and into post-secondary courses of study.

Opening day of the Minnesota State Fair 2023 will again be Thursday, August 24. SciMathMN has valued the relationship with the Fair and the opportunity that that relationship has provided Minnesota families, STEM education providers, and sponsors.  Big thanks go out this year to our sponsors Target Tech Kids, MTS Systems, Boston Scientific, Medtronic, Seagate Technology, the Minnesota Department of Transportation, Hennepin County, Andersen Corporation, Silk Road medical, and Xcel Energy.

STEM Day 2022 is Thursday, August 25^th.  In its 13^th year SciMathMN invites STEM education providers, Minnesota businesses, and colleges and university to celebrate science, technology, engineering, and math education and career opportunities.  Through hands-on and engaging activities families can explore robotics, aeronautics, medical technology, architecture, civil engineering, computer coding and other areas where STEM skills are developed and applied.  The adjacent stage hosts entertaining performances along with celebrations of excellence in math and science teaching in Minnesota.

The day is made possible by generous community sponsors. Inspire level sponsors include Target Tech Kids, Boston Scientific, and MTS Systems.  Create level sponsors include Medtronic, Seagate, and Anderson Corporation. They are joined at the Discover level by Hennepin County, Silk Road Medical, the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and Xcel Energy. The ever popular tote bags will be jointly sponsored by MnDOT and Anderson Corporation.

Show your support for hands-on STEM learning by supporting STEM Day at the Fair! Individuals are invited to sponsor the best day of the summer at the Explore level start at $100. Sponsors are recognized here on our website and at STEM Day at the Fair.

Click here to complete your sponsorship on Paypal

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz joined 49 other state and territorial Governors calling for expanded computer science education in their state’s schools.  The compact recognizes that it is “more important than ever that all students have the opportunity to learn computer science to inform them as global citizens, to prepare them for the future of work and to protect them from cybersecurity threats.”

According to Code.org’s 2021 annual State Of Computer Science Education report Minnesota ranks last in the nation in the percent of high schools offering foundational computer science courses.  Of the nine state policy issues that Code.org tracks Minnesota has two in place.

In the 2022 legislative session a bill was introduced in the Minnesota House, HF 3243, that called for the state to develop a blueprint for expanding computer science education k-12 in Minnesota.  It failed due to a lack of support in the Senate.

The National Governor’s Association compact was an initiative of Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson in his role as Chairman of the bipartisan organization.

 

 

 

 

2021-2022 Chairman’s Initiative Page

The Minnesota State Fair traditionally marks the end of summer and the return to school for Minnesota students.  STEM Day at the Fair, now in its 13^th year, celebrates science, technology, engineering, and math education opportunities and career paths for those students.

 

Held in Dan Patch Park on August 25, the opening day of the Fair, STEM Day brings together over thirty different education providers and Minnesota corporations to illustrate the breadth of opportunities to explore interests and see how a student’s interests and activities can lead to fulfilling career paths.  Fairgoers can explore robotics, aeronautics, medical technology, architecture, civil engineering, computer coding and other area where STEM skills are developed and applied.  The adjacent stage hosts entertaining performances along with celebrations of excellence in math and science teaching in Minnesota.

 

The day is made possible by generous community sponsors. Inspire level sponsors include Target Tech Kids, Boston Scientific, and MTS Systems.  Create level sponsors include Medtronic, Seagate, and Anderson Corporation. They are joined at the Discover level by Hennepin County, Silk Road Medical, the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and Xcel Energy. The ever popular tote bags will be jointly sponsored by MnDOT and Anderson Corporation.

 

 

Always the best day of the Great Minnesota Get Together STEM Day at the State Fair is back for its twelfth year on August 25, 2022.  SciMathMN brings together over 30 STEM education providers and business supporters to engage in hands-on, fun activities.  It’s a celebration that attracts fairgoers to the exhibit area and the adjoining stage performances. Educational providers wishing to apply to exhibit in this year’s event can fill out this application. Those wishing to support the success of this event through a sponsorship can see the sponsorship opportunities here.