News & Events

Math & Science Center selected as one of Colorado’s Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Centers

The Western Colorado Math and Science Center, a local educational Center that is open to the public and serves schools and teachers throughout western Colorado, has been selected by the Governor of Colorado to participate in a nationwide STEM initiative that will help to address the issues our nation and state of Colorado confront regarding math and science education.

On July 2, the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) awarded last month Colorado, Hawaii, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia $500,000 grants to establish science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education centers in their states. Colorado has established 5 Regional Compact Centers throughout the state, including Grand Junction’s Western Colorado Math and Science Center. The Western Colorado Math & Science Center will cover 8 – 10 counties in Northwest Colorado. The other 4 Centers are Colorado State University, CU-Colorado Springs, CSU-Pueblo, and the College of Education-Colorado Springs. The five compacts will work in coordination with the Governor’s P-20 Education Council and the Center for Education Policy Analysis at UCDHSC's Graduate School of Public Affairs.

The Western Colorado Math and Science Center was selected to participate in the STEM initiative because of the work we do to create enthusiasm for math and science in students and teachers, as well as within families. Our unique approach of engaging students in hands-on science learning experiences and facilitating teachers’ ability to take such approaches back to the classroom has been effective in stimulating interest in math and science as well as encouraging students to question the world around them through scientific inquiry.

The U.S. faces significant challenges in preparing students for jobs in the fields of science and technology and in preparing students to serve as citizens who will have to make critical decisions for their community related to issues that are deeply rooted in science content. Furthermore, the livelihood of today’s workforce, as well as the wellbeing of economies across the country, rests on the ability to compete in today’s highly technological and global economy.

To compete in the global economy, the United States needs to generate a workforce of problem-solvers, innovators, and inventers with rigorous STEM training who can recognize a problem and go about solving it in a systematic and creative way.

The STEM Centers will work together to align K-12 STEM education requirements with postsecondary and workplace expectations, improve the quantity and quality of STEM teachers, and identify and implement best practices in STEM education.

The Math and Science Center will receive funding from the STEM initiative to identify regional strengths and gaps in STEM education and how to improve upon STEM activities that already exist. John McConnell, the Director of the Math and Science Center will meet in September with state STEM participants and then travel to Alabama to meet with national STEM leaders.

We at the Math & Science Center recognize the importance of this STEM initiative to empower students from Colorado to participate in exciting opportunities in the fields of science and technology. We realize that there are all kinds of students, and not all want to have careers in a STEM related occupation. However, we must provide all the support we can to those who have a love for these subjects and expose all to the possibilities that exist.

McConnell Recognized for Touching Lives with Science in New Book by Barbara Metzler

John McConnell is featured as a "Passionary" in a newly published book by Barbara Metzler, "Passionaries: Turning Compassion into Action." The book focuses on the good deeds of non-profit organization leaders and the lives they touch. You can purchase this book on Amazon.com.

Visit the Passionaries website to be empowered with resources, connections, information, links, scholarship informaton and all the tools you need to make a difference in your community.

The Grand Junction Free Press wrote an article about McConnell's inclusion in the book. Read the article online.
 

Voice of America Reports on McConnell, May 2006

Hands-On Experiments Impress Young Scientists, by Shelley Schlender, is the title of a report by this writer from Denver, Colorado. "Fewer American students these days are choosing a career in the sciences.  One way to change that, according to a dedicated volunteer, is to get them excited about science as youngsters." Go to the Voice of America website to listen to the report or read the article about how John McConnell is making a difference for teachers and students throughout Colorado.

New Book’s Writes About the Mentorship of John McConnell and Ryan Patterson and the Math & Science Center

Kids Inventing: A Handbook for Young Inventors, by Susan Casey

Have you ever seen inventors on TV or in the newspaper and thought, “That could be me!” Well, it certainly could—and this book shows you how. Kids Inventing! gives you easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions for turning your ideas into realities for fun, competition, and even profit.

From finding an idea and creating a working model to patenting, manufacturing, and selling your invention, you get expert guidance in all the different stages of inventing. You’ll see how to keep an inventor’s log, present your ideas, and work as part of a team or with a mentor. You’ll meet inspiring kids just like you who designed their own award-winning inventions. And you’ll see how to prepare for the various state and national invention contests held each year, as well as international competitions and science fairs.

Buy this book at Amazon.com today -- then bring it to the Math & Science Center for John McConnell's autograph!

Center Reopens After Renovation

Here's what you'll see in our first room as you come in the door.

Our second room includes the hydrogen fuel exhibit and in the back corner you'll find the bee hive.

Take a peek at our construction process:

Volunteer Scott built 14 new tables for the Center.

John surveys the room, deciding where to put new exhibits.

These tanks will house our new Live Insect exhibit.