BUSINESS-EDUCATION PARTNERSHIPS KEY TO STEM SUCCESS

Speaking passionately about the importance of business-education partnerships, Bay Area Council President and CEO Jim Wunderman addressed a capacity crowd at the STEM Summit in Oakland on Thursday (Oct. 23). The summit opened the 4th Annual Bay Area Science Festival, one of the largest STEM events in the nation. Organized by Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla, the STEM Summit covered business partnerships, the need for broadband infrastructure improvements, career pathways, and STEM educator perspectives.

Wunderman joined other top business leaders, including Terry Hermiston, Vice President of Biologics Research for Council member Bayer, Sunne Wright McPeak, President and CEO of California Emerging Technology Fund, Rich Robbins, CEO of Wareham Development, and Jim Vanides, Global Education Program Manager for Hewlett-Packard. The group emphasized the importance of inspiring and educating Bay Area students, especially girls and minorities, for the STEM jobs that are located right in this region. There was much agreement on the importance of teacher professional development in STEM subjects and the need for technology integration into all subjects and all grade levels. To engage in the Council’s STEM policy work, contact Vice President Linda Galliher.