A statewide network aimed at strengthening and expanding education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics has officially launched out of its home base at New Mexico State University.
The New Mexico STEM Innovation Network was created with state legislative funding, in partnership with the New Mexico Public Education Department, to help align STEM education across the K-12 system with NMPED priorities. Its main mission is to connect systems and establish an infrastructure to support pre-K through college STEM pathways and better prepare students for STEM careers.
NMSU serves as the network’s principal hub. Five regional hubs across the state have also been established to coordinate resources and strengthen statewide STEM connections.
The hubs maintain partnerships with regional education cooperatives, higher education, career and technical education programs and New Mexico Workforce Solutions, and also share resources and best practices, promote regional STEM programs and assets, and engage industry partners to connect education with STEM careers and workforce need. The Regional Hub Backbone Organizations are:
- Northwest region: San Juan College.
- Northeast region: New Mexico Highlands University.
- Central region: Explora, R4Creating and New Mexico Tech.
- Southwest region: Western New Mexico University and Southwest Regional Education Cooperative.
- Southeast region: Regional Education Cooperative No. 6.
“I’m really excited to help my university, Western New Mexico, step up and be a leader in our region with STEM education” said Tanya Rivers, professor of mathematics at WNMU and the southwest region hub director. “We’re a small university that serves a very rural part of the state, and having support resources and some mentoring are really going to help us find our legs to make some real change in our region.”
The network also provides mini-grants designed to support New Mexico schools, community organizations, professional learning providers and industry partners to expand STEM learning opportunities. Last year, nearly $300,000 in mini-grants were awarded to 23 entities, including Future Innovators Academy, which is based in Lea County.
“I’m all about out-of-school-time activities and providing opportunities for kids who may not have otherwise had opportunities like that. This was just right up my alley,” said Devon Fite, founder and director of Future Innovators Academy, which provides STEM-related programs to underserved youth. “It was almost a godsend.”
-30-
PHOTO CAPTION: Regional directors of the New Mexico STEM Innovation Network, which is based at New Mexico State University, attend a recent workshop. The network was created with state legislative funding, in partnership with the New Mexico Public Education Department, to help align STEM education across the K-12 system with NMPED priorities (NMSU photo by Josh Bachman)
IMAGE DESCRIPTION: A group of people seated around a table watching a woman speak on a monitor.