STEM challenge: Does Florida really want to be competitive? By Robert Trigaux, Times Business Columnist
In Print: Sunday, October 9, 2011. They are, perhaps, the two most often repeated laments among Florida businesses and enlightened educators. 1. Florida's economy and educational system is not competitive on the demanding global stage. 2. Too few Florida students are learning enough 21st century skills in "STEM" — the acronym for science, technology, engineering and math — with sufficient rigor and hands-on experience to handle the key jobs businesses are clamoring to fill. Listen to the blunt assessment from Paul Woods, co-founder of international biofuels company Algenol in southwest Florida's Bonita Springs. Woods hires around the world. And Florida students, he says, do not compare with the employees he hires. "I can tell you the state of Florida is not even close to mediocre," he told a conference this past week on the state's work force skills. "I think we have to stop being defensive and take a hard look." Hmm. An honest man.
So, what's preventing Florida from declaring a "state of economic emergency" and instituting well-crafted STEM programs and career academies across the state? Learn more…
