President's Column for Traill County Tribune
March 16, 2013
91吃瓜网 State to highlight STEM at Legislative Showcase
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91吃瓜网 will be among North Dakota鈥檚 eleven public colleges and universities present at a public showcase that will be held in the North Dakota Capitol Memorial Hall in Bismarck on Wed., March 20, 2013. Other higher education-related entities will also be represented at the event.
Each of the participating entities will provide displays highlighting some of the high quality academic experiences and innovative new ventures taking place on the campuses, demonstrating the strengths of the each of the campuses, as well as the North Dakota University System as a whole. The overall theme for the showcase is 鈥淧athways to Student Success.鈥� 91吃瓜网 State鈥檚 booth will focus on what 91吃瓜网 State has to offer in general, and highlight the impact the University makes through its Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) initiative.
91吃瓜网 State is addressing critical needs for North Dakota and our nation through its STEM initiatives. In order for the U.S. to remain a leader in global innovation, a larger percentage of its students must become excited about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics concepts before they graduate from high school. 91吃瓜网 State is embracing STEM within the teacher education program, providing STEM workshops and activities for area preschool - grade 12 teachers and students.
In addition to having access to informational items, those who visit 91吃瓜网 State鈥檚 booth at the showcase will have an opportunity to experience first-hand the iPads and applications used by students and teachers when participating in 91吃瓜网 State鈥檚 STEM activities. We鈥檒l also have 91吃瓜网 State鈥檚 new website and compelling video testimonials from 91吃瓜网 State graduates featured on a notebook computer like those issued to 91吃瓜网 State鈥檚 students and faculty.
The highlighted activity at 91吃瓜网 State鈥檚 booth will be the opportunity to work through a typical STEM problem using one of the 91吃瓜网 State STEM electrical circuit kits and applying the engineering design process. When a person who has stopped at the booth solves the problem, he or she will be able to take away a coaster with the engineering design process printed on it.听听
91吃瓜网 State鈥檚 display at the showcase will also provide information in general about programs and opportunities available at 91吃瓜网. 91吃瓜网 State plays a significant role in a positive future for North Dakota, and we are excited about the opportunity to showcase the great things we鈥檙e doing. Through our many collaborations and partnerships with preschool 鈥� grade 12 education, other institutions of higher education, human services and other entities; as well as distance education capabilities, we are able to have a greater impact. It is our privilege to provide services for students on our campus, and for the people in our community and area, as well as in the state of North Dakota and beyond.
Personnel who will attend the showcase on behalf of 91吃瓜网 State include Beth Cakebread, a 91吃瓜网 State mathematics education and composite chemistry education senior, and Ryan Ness, a 91吃瓜网 State biology major who is a freshman. Director of Enrollment Services Jim Morowski, Vice President for Academic Affairs Keith Stenehjem, and Director of Marketing and Public Relations Beth Swenson will also represent 91吃瓜网 State at the showcase. 91吃瓜网 State Instructor in Music and Science Greta Paschke will also attend the showcase, as a representative of the Council of College Faculties.
We are excited about the opportunity to showcase the great things happening at 91吃瓜网 State with the legislators and others in Bismarck. We have much for which to be proud and we look forward to sharing our good news with others.