The kickoff meeting of the Dream It. Do It. Education Coalition was held recently at the Cummins Inc., Jamestown Engine Plant. This coalition is a community-led initiative of business and community leaders as well as educators committed to developing, implementing and supporting learning in Chautauqua County. The coalition's initial goal is to develop a strategy to improve science, technology, engineering and mathematics education at the middle and high school levels. The coalition's intent is to grow and leverage the existing Dream It. Do It. initiative which is active in many of the Chautauqua County School systems today.
"Dream It. Do It. has established a framework to take this next important step toward imbedding more STEM education opportunities in the curriculum provided to many young minds in Chautauqua County," stated David Porter, plant manager, Cummins Inc. "We are proud to be part of the education coalition along with businesses, educators and community leaders from throughout the county."
"The formation of this coalition is the logical next step in our goal of developing an abundant technologically skilled workforce in Chautauqua County," said Todd Tranum, president/CEO of Dream It. Do It. Western New York and also president/CEO of the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce and executive director of the Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier. "The coalition consists of a great group of people and organizations that have the collective ability to make STEM education a more prominent component of our educational system."
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The Dream It. Do It. Education Coalition recently held a kickoff meeting.
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David O'Rourke, district superintendent/chief executive officer of Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES said "this initiative's timing is just right for the changes in curriculum that schools in our region are addressing. The Common Core State Standards will require deeper applications of student learning to real world situations. Moreover, the Board of Regents is considering new pathways for graduation, which will allow for more specialization in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. I'm pleased that manufacturers in our region such as Cummins, TruckLite Co. and Blackstone-Ney Ultrasonics, are stepping up as willing partners to schools as they to prepare students for college studies and careers in STEM."
COALITION GOALS
Work with key community stakeholders to develop a strategy to improve STEM skills needed in advanced manufacturing and other technical careers
Reach students across the county to increase their awareness of manufacturing jobs in the region and improve their perception of those career opportunities
Increase student enrollment in these learning pathways
Develop a strategy that will address the current shortage of students entering STEM related learning pathways and degree programs.