February 2, 2024
Students Speak Up at STEAM Day at the Legislature
Student Advocates and Legislators Say They Want More Investment in STEAM Education and Educators
Santa Fe, NM – Hundreds of students flocked to the Roundhouse on Thursday to advocate for STEAM education across New Mexico at this year’s STEAM Day at the Legislature, hosted by LANL Foundation. STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education is a vital part of getting our state ready for the future. Every student in New Mexico should have access to STEAM education so they can develop the knowledge, skills, and practices demanded by the 21st Century.
Student speakers joined legislators Rep. Susan Herrera, Rep. Joseph Sanchez, and Sen. Leo Jaramillo to advocate for more investment in STEAM education and educators.
“STEM education has played a crucial role in shaping my academic journey and has opened my eyes to a world of possibilities,” said Daniel Chavez, a student at Pojoaque Valley 6th Grade Academy. “Investing in STEM education is not just an investment in my future but in the future of all students in our state. It equips us with the skills and knowledge needed for the jobs of tomorrow and ensures that we can contribute meaningfully to the advancement of our community and society.”
Students from Native American Community Academy spoke about their winning project from the New Mexico Governor’s STEM Challenge. NM MESA brought students from Alamogordo High School, Anton Chico Middle School, Belen and Infinity High Schools, Chief Manuelito Middle School, Gallup Middle School, Deming High School, and Monte del Sol High School, who also spoke at the press conference.
“Experience and research tell us that to move the needle in education, we must engage our students in innovative, student-centered learning that is real and multifaceted while valuing individual critical thinking,” said Tony Fox, Interim President and CEO at LANL Foundation. “Systematically improving in-school and out-of-school STEAM requires all of us to come to the table – industry, higher ed, Pre-K to grade 12, and other STEAM partners, and all of those contingents were represented at STEAM Day.”
LANL Foundation was awarded a STEMx Grant to support student participation in STEAM Day this year. Students from rural and Tribal schools from across the state took part in this event. Battelle manages the STEMx Network and funded this grant as part of the institution’s commitment to inspiring the next generation of innovators.
Tables with hands-on interactive STEAM activities were hosted by ASK Academy, Bradbury Science Museum, Capital High School, Cottonwood Classical Preparatory School, Harrison Middle School, J. Robert Oppenheimer Memorial Committee, LANL Foundation, MathAmigos, the Mathamuseum, Native American Community Academy, New Mexico Academy of Science, New Mexico Agriculture in the Classroom, Nina Otero Elementary School, NM Environment Department, NM MESA, NMSU – STEM Outreach Center, Ortiz Middle School, Pajarito Environmental Education Center, Piñon Elementary School, Pojoaque Valley Middle School, R4 Creating, Rural Community Assistance Program, Santa Fe Community College, SFPS Digital Learning Coaches, Society of Women Engineers, the Space Chile Grow a Pepper Plant Challenge, Tucumcari High School & Lemelson-MIT InvenTeam, Twirl Taos, X-Studio Explora, and more. School teams from the New Mexico Governor’s STEM Challenge displayed their winning projects.
Since 1997, the LANL Foundation has been investing in education, learning, and human potential in Northern New Mexico. Through diverse programming and collaboration with key partners, the LANL Foundation works to ensure that all New Mexicans have the skills and confidence they need to be self-sufficient lifelong learners who are engaged in their communities. The LANL Foundation is dedicated to the enhancement of students’ access to academic and technical opportunities, leading to quality jobs by supporting college and career readiness in schools, districts, communities, Pueblos, Tribes, and Nations.
For more information visit: https://www.lanlfoundation.org.
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