May 7, 2014

Bolinsky Hosts St. Rose of Lima School at CT Science Center

This article was archived from the previous WordPress site. Formatting and media should be close, but may not match the original post perfectly.

HARTFORD, CT – State Rep. Mitch Bolinsky (R-106 Newtown) hosted first-grade students from St. Rose Of Lima School during their visit to the Connecticut Science Center (CSC) in Hartford, in the state’s continued effort to promote Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education.

Many Connecticut adults and young people are struggling to find good jobs because they do not have the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) skills that are necessary to compete in the dynamic and fast changing employment marketplace.

Last year, the Connecticut General Assembly supported new state investment in STEM education and training. The goal is to have a skilled workforce for Connecticut’s high-tech employers to meet the demands of the 21st century global economy. The investment in the STEM program for the University of Connecticut will generate $146 million per year in new research expenditures and $285 million in new business activity in Connecticut. In addition, it is expected to create 4,050 permanent new jobs and 30,000 total construction jobs through 2024.

Bolinsky said, “Spending time with the bright, young first-graders of St. Rose on the final day of the legislature’s 2014 session was the best way to start an otherwise long day over at the Capitol! We spoke briefly about the importance of science, technology and engineering in today’s world and how their education prepares them to plan, design and build great things. I encouraged them to enjoy all the center has to offer, dare to dream big and to do well in school. Then, we went upstairs to play with the vortex and defy gravity with water in Kidspace. The Connecticut Science Center is a world-class facility and a magnificent backdrop to explain what an engineer does, as well as express our commitment to their future.”

According to Connecticut Science Center officials, more than 60,000 students the Science Center each year on field trips to explore their 165+ exhibits and participate in exciting discovery lab programs. The hands-on experiences at the Science Center help reinforce what students learn in their classrooms and get them excited about areas of science they may not have considered before. Part of the Science Center goal is to help our young people envision themselves in careers as our future scientists, engineers, healers, educators and inventors.