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SALT LAKE CITY — An initiative to support ongoing efforts to involve more southern Utah students in science, technology, engineering and math got unanimous support from the Senate Education Committee on Tuesday.
HB335 would provide permanent funding for Southern Utah University and Dixie State University to work with local schools in providing STEM activities for students as young as 8 years old, as well as professional development for teachers.
"I've been more excited about this proposal than anything else that I've worked on in my three years here in the Legislature," said bill sponsor Rep. Jon Stanard, R-St. George.
Currently, Dixie State University offers LEGO robotics activities, STEM summer camps and coding classes for students. It is also considering offering Latino- and girls-only courses.
"There's a great disparity of very, very few females that go into these fields," Stanard said. "They've found that what interests girls is very, very different than what interests boys. With the boys, especially once they get to college, it's 'What does it pay and how am I going to provide for my family?' For girls, it's 'How can I change the world?'"
Southern Utah University uses mobile science labs to provide activities for students. The university also facilitates training for science teachers in public schools.
Stanard said the programs would help satisfy heavy demand from Utah industries for qualified workers in STEM fields.
"We are not even scratching the surface at the need and the demand that's out there," Stanard said.
The bill asks for more than $700,000 in ongoing funds to be divided between the two universities, with 100 percent of the funds going to the public education programs. However, the bill's fiscal note could change "significantly," depending on where it falls among other budget priorities in the final days of the legislative session, Stanard said.
The bill now goes to the full Senate. Email: mjacobsen@deseretnews.com Twitter: MorganEJacobsen
