1/8/2010
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Gov. Joe Manchin today announced that the state of West Virginia has chosen to take part in the U.S. Department of Energy’s “Real World Design Challenge” that will give high school-aged students the opportunity to learn more about science, technology, engineering and mathematics, as it is applied in the high technology and aerospace industries.
The Real World Design Challenge is a collaboration between education and business leaders, specifically the U.S. Department of Energy, Federal Aviation Administration, NASA, and Parametric Technologies Corporation among others. The Challenge is designed to strengthen professional development for teachers through training and partnering with high technology industry representatives, while also providing students with a access to valuable software to enhance learning and innovation.
“I am pleased to have our state join this creative collaboration of education and business professionals. Any time we are able to introduce a new challenge to our young people that will enhance their learning and understanding of science, mathematics and high technology, brings success to the student and our state as a whole. I believe strongly in providing a seamless education system for our younger generations, and this will help us reach that goal,” said Gov. Manchin.
West Virginia joins 24 other states in this initiative with local support provided by the NASA IV&V Facility Education Resource Center, The Department of Energy in Morgantown, and the June Harless Center. The project will give participating students more insight in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) related fields, which will prepare them for the high technology-related occupations of the future. The winning team will receive an all expense paid trip to the national competition in Washington D.C. this March.
Contact Information
Sara Payne Scarbro
304-558-2000