CONGRESSMAN CUELLAR HOSTS SCHOOL S.T.E.M. EVENTS IN LAREDO
Written by Post Public Information Representative, Apr 20, 2010, 0 Comments
Courtesy Ashley Patterson,
Middle School Students Learn More About Careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) and representatives from NASA, Texas Instruments, Mercedes-Benz Technology, Texas A&M International University, Laredo Community College, the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers and other technology professionals hosted three events in Laredo to educate hundreds of middle school students on the opportunities associated with careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).
Congressman Cuellar organized Monday’s events for students from Dr. Joaquin G. Cigarroa Middle School, Louis J. Christen Middle School, United Middle School and Clark Middle School, delivering remarks to students throughout the day as an advocate for higher education and equal educational opportunities. This is the first in a series of major STEM events the Congressman has planned for students throughout the 28th Congressional District of Texas.
“Careers in these fields are the jobs of the future,” said Congressman Cuellar. “That is why we need to educate our students on the opportunities associated with science, technology, engineering and math. We can show them how science class connects to the real world.”
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 15 of the 20 fastest-growing occupations projected through 2010 and beyond will require substantial mathematics or science skills. It has been widely reported that the nation will face a labor shortage in these fields in the future. Only 31 percent of today’s college graduates in the United States have technical training in science and engineering compared to 66.2 percent in Japan and 59.4 percent in China.
“By investing in our children’s education we ensure they are able to compete in the global market. This is vitally important to our nation’s economy,” said Congressman Cuellar. “I believe our communities have the intellectual capacity to compete in these fields now and into the future. That is why these events are so important; they can open up students’ eyes.”
In a recent international assessment of 15-year-old students, the United States ranked 28th in math literacy and 24th in science. The United States ranks 20th among all nations in the number of 24-year-olds who earn degrees in natural science or engineering, according to a Congressional Research Service (CRS) report.
Monday’s events in Laredo highlighted cutting-edge career opportunities in science and technology, including outer space engineering career tracks at NASA, geo–technical opportunities at Terracon and pharmaceutical careers at local HEB pharmacies. Other participants included Workforce solutions, IBC, Crane Engineering, Gilpin Engineering, Falcon International Bank, Tech Labs Inc., and Lab Resources Inc.
