A forum on how to increase the number of STEM graduates in New Hampshire to meet the state’s workforce needs was held Nov. 27 in Manchester. Hosted by UNH, the University System of New Hampshire (USNH), and the Community College System of New Hampshire (CCSNH), the meeting brought together leaders in higher education and business to discuss the problem of getting students interested in the STEM fields--science, technology, engineering and math.

Earlier this year USNH and CCSNH committed to doubling the number of STEM graduates in the Granite State by 2025. The forum, the first in a series, allowed New Hampshire educators to engage in a meaningful way with industry leaders and state legislators. 

“The forum provided an opportunity for those who care most about STEM education to come together and share experiences, opportunities and vision. It was invaluable to get industry and academic leaders together in order to address this important topic,” says Erica Johnson, director of the UNH InterOperability Laboratory (IOL). “The IOL plays an important role in NH's STEM goals as it bridges between academia and industry.  Its model can be shared and grown as our mission is providing hands-on experiences to more than 100 undergraduate students directly servicing more than 150 companies in the data communications and networking industry.”

Introductory remarks were made by President Mark Huddleston and CCSNH Chancellor Ross Gittell. The keynote speaker was Jay Labov, senior advisor for education and communications with the National Research Council. Gov. John Lynch moderated a panel discussion on the industry perspective. Panelists included Johnson, Jeremy Hitchcock, CEO of DYN, an internet infrastructure company, and Joe Morone, president and CEO, Albany International Corp.

“The forum identified a number of ways to increase student interest in STEM areas and to widen the STEM pipeline. Most intriguing to me was the keynote speaker’s description of new ways to convert education in STEM disciplines from a lecture/rote learning approach to inquiry- and project-based formats,” says Provost John Aber. “I have always thought that introductory classes in the sciences should be among the most interesting and compelling courses we offer. There has been real progress in some areas here, most notably in Biology 411, but there is lots of work to do.  Students need to be drawn into the sciences as inherently interesting and relevant subjects.  Being rigorous and being fascinating are not mutually exclusive traits.” 

The 2012 report “Engage to Excel: Producing One Million Additional College Graduates with Degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics” issued by the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology states that “economic forecasts point to a need for producing, over the next decade, approximately 1 million more college graduates in STEM fields… Merely increasing the retention of STEM majors from 40 to 50 percent would generate three-quarters of the targeted 1 million additional STEM degrees over the next decade.” 

“This was a great opportunity to listen and interact with colleagues from across the state,” says Jon Wraith, dean, College of Life Sciences and Agriculture, and director of the NH Agricultural Experiment Station. “I took away several key points, including the desirability of focusing on one or a very few leverage points having greatest opportunity to meaningfully impact retention and graduation within our STEM education programs. COLSA represents one of the largest single pools of STEM undergraduates in the state. We are excited to participate in initiatives to enhance their educational experiences and opportunities for employment.”

Read more at http://www.unh.edu/president/stem.