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 K-12 Newsletter
May 2015

WICHITA - Educators and industry professionals from the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering and math are invited to attend the Kansas STEM Call-to-Action Forum being held June 2-3, 2015 at the National Center for Aviation and Training, 4004 N. Webb Road. 

The conference is intended to serve as a catalyst for conversation and collaboration among all those with a stake in preparing youth for jobs in the STEM workforce.

Dr. John Tomblin, Wichita State University Vice President of Research and Technology Transfer and Executive Director of the National Institute for Aviation Research, will be the keynote speaker. Gov. Sam Brownback is also tentatively scheduled to open the forum. 

"Preparing children with the necessary skills to thrive once they enter the workforce depends on effective collaboration between educators and industry, yet teachers and STEM professionals rarely get a chance to talk to each other," said Polly Basore, a conference organizer and K-12 Officer for the College of Engineering. "This conference attempts to address that through a series of conversations between teachers, employers and others whose cooperation is critical."

The conference is one of a series sponsored by the National Defense Industrial Association and the Aerospace Industries Association held in states across the nation. In Kansas, a coalition of more than 30 partners including Textron Aviation, Wichita State University College of Engineering, NIAR and STEMpact2020 helped plan the two-day event, which will be held in Wichita at the National Center for Aviation Training, 4004 N. Webb Rd.

Discounted registration is available through May 22 at the following rates: $25 for K-12 teachers, $50 for government and academia representatives, and $100 for STEM industry professionals. A full conference schedule, list of speakers and topics, and registration are available at stempact2020.org/calltoaction Participants are eligible for 8 Continuing Education Credits. 

Collaboration between SpiritAeroSystems, Wichita Public Schools and STEMpact2020 allowed students a chance to do hands-on science activities with Spirit employees at an event held at Wichita's Southeast High School last month. The Kansas STEM Call-to-Action Forum will highlight successful partnerships such as this and the role they play in preparing a future STEM workforce.