Tuesday, July 7, 2009

STEM-UP will Allow Kids to Rise Up to a Brighter Future


Yesterday I attended a landmark event at Hollenbeck Middle School to promote the launching of STEM-UP – an effort to get more students involved in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math fields. HENAAC is working with the Department of Defense and the United States Army Corps of Engineers in launching this groundbreaking program in Boyle Heights. I joined HENAAC CEO Ray Mellado, Congressmember Lucille Roybal-Allard, LAUSD President Monica Garcia, Cal State L.A. College of Engineering, Computer Science and Technology Dean Keith Moo-Young and others for what truly will be a pivotal moment in the education of children on the Eastside. HENAAC estimates that by 2025, the country will need more than 11 million workers in STEM fields, and Latinos are well below other groups when it comes to pursuing these high-paying careers. With the new Mendez Learning Center in Boyle Heights focusing on Math-Science and Engineering-Technology and the STEM-UP campaign going full force, we will truly be making dreams come true for countless children and their families.
You can read all about it HERE.