AS ADOPTED BY SENATE, MAY 9, 2019

senate resolution no.47

Senator Zorn, Alexander, Ananich, Barrett, Bayer, Bizon, Brinks, Bullock, Chang, Daley, Hollier, Horn, Irwin, Johnson, LaSata, Lauwers, Lucido, MacDonald, MacGregor, McCann, McMorrow, Moss, Nesbitt, Outman, Polehanki, Santana, Schmidt, Shirkey, Stamas, Theis, VanderWall and Victory offered the following resolution:

A resolution to commemorate May 12-18, 2019, as STEM Awareness Week.

Whereas, Michigan’s unique history in agriculture, automotive, chemistry, manufacturing, automation, and innovation across many sectors provides an opportunity to light the way for our future in computational thinking and modeling by promoting, adopting, and implementing computer science standards in our state; and

Whereas, STEM education refers to the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics; and

Whereas, Currently only 35 percent of high schools nationally offer computer science, yet 90 percent of parents want their children to have access to computer science learning opportunities; and

Whereas, Computer science is a discipline in which students learn new approaches to problem solving, harness the power of computational thinking, and create, not just consume, technology; and

Whereas, The adoption of K-12 computer science standards in our state is critical in order for our students to compete regionally, nationally, and globally; and

Whereas, Participating in STEM activities increases engagement in education, promotes equity, supports literacy development, and fosters technologically alert and empowered students who gain multiple ways to frame problems and transfer knowledge to new situations; and

Whereas, A globally competitive, knowledge-based economy is a fact for students—now and in the foreseeable future—and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics are crucial drivers in that economy; and

Whereas, STEM is not only science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, but also a way of learning in which students comprehend by doing, thinking critically, and providing solutions that lead to healthy, thriving communities; and

Whereas, Occupations in STEM are among the highest paying, fastest growing, and most influential in stimulating economic growth and innovation; and

Whereas, If Michigan students become inspired by science, technology, engineering, and mathematics at an early age, they will be more likely to enter those growing career fields when they graduate; and

Whereas, The Michigan STEM Advisory Council has supported opportunities for transforming learning in computer science with statewide professional learning through the program, MI-Coding (http://www.mi-coding.com); and

Whereas, A STEM education will ensure our state’s workforce will be equipped for the jobs of tomorrow; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate, That the members of this legislative body commemorate May 12-18, 2019, as STEM Awareness Week.