Peachtree MS & Dunwoody HS Receive STEM Labs Grant

The Georgia Department of Education recently awarded grants to Peachtree Charter Middle School and Dunwoody High School for 21st Century science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) labs.

According to the information from the GADOE website, “The Title II, Part D 21st Century STEM Labs grant will increase student achievement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, build capacity for providing STEM education opportunities across Georgia, and provide a model for increasing student participation in STEM studies that will prepare them for STEM occupations and/or post-secondary STEM education and /or training.”

“K-12 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education is essential for a skilled Georgia workforce. Of the 30 fastest-growing occupations projected through 2016, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook concludes that 16 of them will require substantial mathematics or science preparation. The agency also reports that professional information technology (IT) jobs will increase 24% between 2006 and 2016. In Georgia, the fastest growing industry is biotechnology. Georgia students must be prepared to compete globally for these and other STEM related jobs and Georgia’s schools must build capacity to offer and attract student participation in STEM…One important investment Georgia is making in STEM involves the creation of 21st Century STEM Labs that are located in Middle and High Schools whose school staffs are deeply engaged with postsecondary, community, and business partners”.

GADOE Information on STEM Lab Grants