Bill Text: HI HR15 | 2011 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Urging the DOE and BOE to establish STEM curriculum in every school.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 6-2)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-03-28 - (H) This measure has been deleted from the meeting scheduled on Tuesday 03-29-11 10:00AM in conference room 325. [HR15 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2011-HR15-Introduced.html

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	15
TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

Urging the Department of Education and the board of education to establish STEM/robotics curriculum In every school.

 

 

 

     WHEREAS, the United States' ability to innovate and compete in the global marketplace is directly related to the ability of our educational system to prepare all of our children in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), however, we are rapidly losing our competitive edge within STEM subjects as our students are failing to keep up with our international peers; and

 

     WHEREAS, efforts to enhance STEM opportunities for hands-on learning experiences are gaining momentum as people recognize the need for students to develop twenty-first century skills; and

 

     WHEREAS, the effort to improve STEM skills in Hawaii is critical to address Hawaii's serious and ongoing challenges in its educational performance and workforce development efforts; and

 

     WHEREAS, these challenges limit the economic future and professional opportunities for our youth, and limit our statewide economic development opportunities; and

 

     WHEREAS, in the 2006 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), the average mathematics achievement of U.S. students was higher than that of only five Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries; and

 

     WHEREAS, here in Hawaii, studies have shown students to be behind national averages, and the gap is widening; and

 

     WHEREAS, Waipahu High School, Henry Perrine Baldwin High School, James Campbell High School, Kahuku High School, Kau High and Pahala Elementary School, Olomana High and Intermediate School, and Waialua High and Intermediate School are currently using STEM curriculum as Hawaii Excellence through Science and Technology Academies; and

 

     WHEREAS, 182 public, public charter, and private schools have robotics teams in one or more of the six robotics programs, accounting for 47 percent of Hawaii's schools; and

 

     WHEREAS, scholastic robotics programs have shown to increase students' interest in STEM fields, develops leadership, organization, communication, media and public relations skills, promotes team work, time management, and problem solving–all life skills that every employer is seeking in any young person, regardless of profession; and

 

     WHEREAS, STEM curriculum encourages internships and mentorships, which gives students a realistic understanding of what the work place is like and what people in various fields actually do on the job, including how people really interact and accomplish goals in the workplace; and

 

     WHEREAS, this experience is invaluable in helping students make education, career, and lifestyle decisions; and

 

     WHEREAS, internships and mentorships also provide added and often essential value for Hawaii's business community, and ultimately the economy as a whole; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-sixth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2011, that the Department of Education and the Board of Education is urged to establish STEM/robotics curriculum in every school; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that should the establishment of a STEM/robotics curriculum of a particular school not be feasible, the Department of Education and the Board of Education is urged to establish STEM/robotics as an extracurricular activity; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of The Board of Education and the Superintendant of the Department of Education.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________
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Report Title: 

Urging the DOE and BOE to establish STEM curriculum in every school.