SciTech Institute STEM and Innovation Summit with Laveen School District and STEM Sports
Take part in the future and interact with some of Arizona’s most influential thinkers at the 2019 STEM and Innovation Summit held in Scottsdale, Arizona.
This year’s statewide conference brought together Arizona’s key stakeholders in business, industry, education, government, NGO, the community to:
- Share best practices, lessons and stories from the field
- Experience the latest in Arizona technology and innovation
- Build unique and diverse STEM networks
- Discuss how we can work as connected ecosystem to improve public STEM awareness and improve workforce readiness
The mission of the Laveen Elementary School District, with the support of parents and community, is to develop in our children the knowledge, skills, and character to achieve academic excellence, personal growth, and success in a safe, positive environment.
Dr. Joe Roselle has been a public educator for over twenty years in Title I schools. He has been a middle school teacher, building level administrator and is currently a community engagement coordinator for the Laveen School District. In his current capacity, Dr. Roselle works closely with the community to find win-win partnership for the Laveen School District.
STEM Sports® provides turnkey K-8 supplemental curriculum. They deliver standards-aligned lessons using Basketball, Football, Soccer, Volleyball and BMX as the strategic vehicles to drive STEM-based learning in classrooms, after-school programs, and camps.
Jeff Golner is the Principle Principal of Agency G, a full service creative, marketing and event production firm. Successfully operating since November 2005, Agency G works with a wide range of businesses in sports, entertainment, service industries and not-for profit organizations. Golner is also the President & CEO of STEM Sports®. STEM Sports develops and provides turnkey curricula for 3rd through 8th grade-aged students using a sport as the strategic vehicle to drive STEM-based learning in classrooms, after-school programs, and camp settings. Prior to venturing on his own, Golner enjoyed a long marketing, game operations and entertainment career with the Arizona Diamondbacks from 1997 to 2005, leaving as Senior Director of Game Operations.
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In your professional opinion, how can we better work as a connected ecosystem to improve public STEM awareness and improve workforce readiness?
Dr. Roselle: In Laveen, we truly believe we can advance STEM by engaging our community. Our STEM initiative is not just a club our a class. Our Chief Science Officers are interested in integrating STEM into everything we do. We know we can solve the STEM shortage with the help of our community.
Jeff: The best way to work, is together, as a collaborative force. Further, never steer far from why STEM education exists in the first place; improving workforce readiness and exposing career paths now at a young age should bear fruit down the road. And the more the ecosystem can work together to propel STEM awareness and workforce readiness, the better. While quantity of effort is helpful, the quality can be improved by collaboration.
In what ways are you and your organization involved in STEM education and/or the SciTech Institute?
Dr. Roselle: In order to increase the STEM footprint in Laveen, Dr. Roselle coordinates the Chief Science Officers program in Laveen. Chief Science Officers currently host a signature event annually that identifies STEM resources for families in Laveen.
Jeff: STEM Sports® is very intentional in both the STEM education industry as well as here locally with the SciTech Institute. First, we offer a unique method of delivering hands-on 21st century STEM education using sports as the catalyst. We work with schools across the United States and are beginning collaboration internationally as well. As an Arizona based company, it’s important to support local STEM education efforts. Working closely with the SciTech Institute has been a no brainer and very successful thus far. In particular, our work and connections within the CSO program has been fruitful and effective. To get the CSO’s involved with STEM Sports® has been rewarding as they’ve been helpful as a collaborative partners.
