Lt. Gov. Hochul Visits Summer STEM Camp for Young Women at Le Moyne
New York State Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul visited the AT&T and CNY STEM Hub Summer Camp for Young Women today to address the 30 Central New York participants on the importance of girls engaging in a science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education and career path. The week-long program, being held on the campus of Le Moyne College, is the region’s only all-female high school summer camp that focuses on STEM disciplines. In addition, the Lieutenant Governor toured the program during which students and teachers demonstrated what the young women will be learning and working on during the program.
“The key to New York's future economic growth is a world-class workforce with the skills necessary to meet the challenges of both today and tomorrow, and STEM education is critical to that effort,” said Lieutenant Governor Hochul. “It is especially important that we encourage programs like this for young woman, who are underrepresented in all technology-related fields. I applaud CNY STEM Hub and its partners for opening this door of opportunity and for the chance to meet with these remarkable students."
"We are thrilled to welcome the STEM camp back to Le Moyne for the second consecutive year," said Le Moyne President Linda LeMura, who has her doctorate in and taught applied physiology. "Our curriculum for STEM disciplines integrates the liberal arts into each program, as we firmly believe that a college education that infuses the liberal arts into every student's experience produces individuals who have stronger critical thinking and problem solving skills. This is a wonderful initiative and we applaud all those whose support and hard work have made the camp a reality."
The CNY STEM Hub Summer Camp for Young Women, the first of its kind in Central New York, is an initiative created by AT&T, CNY STEM Hub and Partners For Education & Business Inc. to encourage more women to enter the field of technology; an industry that is predominately male-dominant, by engaging them in a STEM education path at a young age. The program, which consists of 30 girls from local high schools (grades 9-12) from across Central New York, provides an opportunity to gain STEM skills and experiences and engage them to follow a STEM career path at Le Moyne College’s state-of-the-art science facilities.
The camp aims to also address the brain drain issue in the region by focusing on STEM and technology related careers that are at the forefront of Central New York’s growing innovation economy to showcase the burgeoning career opportunities in the region. Participants are learning computer coding basics, drone technology, robotics, 3D printing and computer science literacy, among other more traditional STEM-related topics. To ensure inclusion and diversity, the organizers set aside at least 50% of the spots for under-represented high school students and to eliminate economic barriers, the program is free and transportation and lunch is provided.
Educational programs like this are important because according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Labor, much of the growth in the domestic and global economy will come from STEM-related jobs – a highly lucrative and competitive field. It is estimated by 2020 there will be 2.4 million unfilled STEM jobs with more than half made up of computer and coding careers, underscoring the importance of providing the youth the tools and skills necessary to compete in this innovation economy. The urgency for more STEM and computer science educated employees is accentuated by the low percentage of females who are currently employed at major technology firms (29 percent) and women pursuing bachelors’ degrees for computer science, just 18 percent.
“AT&T is excited to collaborate with these dynamic organizations to continue to support the region’s only all girls high school STEM camp and to build off of its extraordinary success from last year,” said Marissa Shorenstein, president, East Region, AT&T. “We are committed to helping bridge the gender gap in STEM related fields by equipping girls with technology literacy and education and providing opportunities that will empower them with the skills and confidence to compete in the global innovation economy. I applaud Lieutenant Governor Hochul for making time to address these young minds and encourage them to strive to be the next leaders in the coding, technology and drone industries.”
AT&T’s support for this program is part of the company’s legacy of supporting educational programs focused on STEM disciplines in New York through AT&T Aspire, the company’s signature $400 million philanthropic initiative that drives innovation in education by bringing diverse resources to bear on the issue including funding, technology, employee volunteerism and mentoring. Aspire is one of the nation’s largest corporate commitments focused on school success and workforce readiness by creating new learning environments and educational delivery systems to help students succeed and prepare them to take on 21st century careers.
“We sincerely thank AT&T for their continued commitment to STEM education in providing the resources and collaborative efforts with Partners for Education & Business to support the STEM Summer Camp for Young Women at Le Moyne College, an exemplary summer experience for young women, representing eleven school districts in Central New York high schools, who are interested in preparing for future science, technology, engineering and math careers,” said Dr. Donna DeSiato, CNY STEM Hub, Chairperson.
“PEB is honored to be working with AT&T, the CNY STEM Hub and local companies to use our networks to bring together young women from urban, suburban and rural schools who are interested in learning more about STEM education and careers, said Joe Vargo, executive director, PEB. “Our camp will not only offer them STEM experiences but will provide opportunities to interact with professional women from STEM companies to help create career sparks in STEM for the participants.”
About CNY STEM Hub:
The CNY STEM Hub is Hub is a volunteer-driven incorporated organization focused on impacting students in the classroom by implementing new teaching strategies in multi-disciplinary/inquiry-based methodologies with real world applications. The CNY Technology Sector is a business-led effort engaging businesses to support an increase in the awareness of STEM careers by supporting effective programming and providing opportunities for students and teachers to learn about the needs of the technology/STEM workforce. Further information can be found at: cnystem.com.
About Philanthropy & Social Innovation at AT&T:
AT&T Inc. is committed to advancing education, strengthening communities and improving lives. Through its community initiatives, AT&T has a long history of investing in projects that create learning opportunities; promote academic and economic achievement; or address community needs. AT&T Aspire is AT&T’s signature philanthropic initiative that drives innovation in education by bringing diverse resources to bear on the issue including funding, technology, employee volunteerism, and mentoring. Through Aspire, we’ve passed the $250 million mark on our plan to invest $400 million in education from 2008-2017.
About Partners for Education & Business:
PEB was created in 1994 by education and business leaders as a not-for-profit organization dedicated to addressing the workforce preparation needs of both education and business. PEB develops connecting activities that would enhance the career education and skill development of the future workforce while understanding and promoting the skill requirements of regional employers. PEB provides administrative support for the CNY STEM Hub and the CNY Technology Sector and is an affiliate of MACNY, the Manufacturers Association of CNY.
About Le Moyne College:
One of 28 Jesuit colleges and universities in the U.S., Le Moyne College is a private, four-year institution enrolling approximately 2,500 full-time undergraduate students in programs of liberal arts, science, business and pre-professional studies, and 800 full- and part-time students in graduate programs in nursing, education, business administration, arts administration, occupational therapy, family nurse practitioner, information systems and physician assistant studies. Since its founding in 1946, the College has modeled and strengthened the nearly 500 year-old Jesuit educational tradition. As a diverse learning community, Le Moyne is recognized for its academic excellence and commitment to cura personalis – the education of the whole person.