The symposium brings together government, education and nonprofit leaders from throughout the country to highlight successful STEM initiatives.
A Texas Tech University education professor is in Washington, D.C., today (April 21) to participate in the White House Early Learning STEM Symposium.
Kristopher J. Childs, an assistant professor of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) in the College of Education, was approached by the president of the National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics (NSCM), of which he is a board member, to create a proposal on behalf of NSCM. His recommendations included partnering with Texas Tech to focus on increasing teacher content knowledge.
That proposal led him to Washington for this event, which is intended to promote active STEM learning for the youngest students in the nation and highlight the range of public and private sector leaders committed to promoting STEM learning. More than 200 groups submitted examples of innovative STEM work representing government entities, foundations, nonprofits, media, technology companies, research institutions and museums.
Presenters at the symposium include the Department of Education on new research grants, an update on President Barack Obama's My Brother's Keeper initiative, Girl Scouts of the USA, the Lawrence Hall of Science, Nickelodeon and the LEGO Foundation. All will discuss the various ways they are expanding access to STEM education and how other organizations can duplicate their activities.
"The goal is to impact and engage students in the early grade levels to provide them with a solid foundation for future academic courses," Childs said. "This will be accomplished through conducting school-based events at schools serving underrepresented students in STEM."
Follow Childs' updates from the symposium on Twitter and Instagram. Watch the symposium live here.