³Ô¹ÏÍø Governor Rick Scott held a press conference in conjunction with his signing of SB 1076 which will provide middle and high school students an opportunity to obtain certifications in various STEM related fields. ³Ô¹ÏÍø COO Ava Parker participated in the event as did state university presidents Machen (UF), Baron (FSU), Robinson (FAMU) and Bense (UWF).
The bill also addresses talent retention programs. The Chancellor of the State University System, along with the Commissioner of Education will support a program that encourages middle and high school students with an interest in or aptitude for physics or mathematics to continue their education at a state university that has excellent departments in the field.
Because of its focus on technology and engineering, ³Ô¹ÏÍø Poly plans to establish partnerships with schools that offer those certifications and recruit those students to attend the university. ³Ô¹ÏÍø Poly administrators will work with partner schools to help ensure that the high school curricula provide an appropriate educational foundation for entry into the university.
The bill clearly align’s with ³Ô¹ÏÍø Poly’s mission of collaborating with industry partners and preparing students to assume available leadership positions in the dynamic technological landscape in ³Ô¹ÏÍø, the nation, and the world.