Why STEM?
The economy and workforce of Maine increasingly depends on innovation and global competitiveness which will require a strong educational background in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Recent data from the Maine Department of Labor report that 40 % of the industries projected to gain jobs in Maine from 2004-2014 are STEM related. Between 2004 and 2005, high-technology employment grew in Maine by 3.5%. This is higher than the overall U.S. growth rate (2.8%) and the rate for New England (2.4%). For the same period, the total job-growth rate in Maine for all industries decreased 0.4 %. 
The number of science and engineering graduate enrollments in Maine universities has been flat since 2000 and is actually lower now than in 1996. For 2007, the College Board reported that 38% of Maine high school students intended to pursue a STEM related field in college as compared to 44% nationally.
The Goal
To increase the number of students by 10% from grades PK- 12 who enter into the STEM fields beyond high school (including teaching) by 2011. Two strategic areas will be addressed.
Actions Supporting the STEM Goal in Maine
Maine needs a focused set of actions to ensure that all Maine students: graduate with essential knowledge and skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics; and aspire to continue in those areas at the post-secondary level. The statewide STEM Summit will broadcast the STEM goal, investigate strategies, and launch the STEM initiative. Join educators, businesses and researchers for this statewide STEM Summit to learn about and launch these actions.
STEM Summit January 24, 2008 Augusta Civic Center ( register here)
8:00-9:00 Registration
9:00-10:30 Welcome and Keynotes
Welcome - Dr. James Carignan - Chair of the State Board of Education and Chair Board of Directors Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance
Mary Cathcart - Chair of the New England Board of Higher Education, Margaret Chase Smith Center
John Dorrer - Director for Workforce, Research and Information, Maine Department of Labor
Keynotes: - Maine STEM needs and STEM Partnerships.
Chris Joyce - Director of Process Technology Development, National Semiconductor
Dr. Eric Klopfer - Associate Professor of Science Education - MIT
10:45-11:45 Breakout sessions: Featuring Maine Companies/Researchers and STEM Education Partnerships by Maine Economic Development Cluster areas:
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Biotechnology (Speakers/Leaders): Dr. Mimi de Vries & Dr. Jon Geiger - Jackson Laboratory; Jeff Thomas - IDEXX Laboratories; Moderator - Dr. Elizabeth Ehrenfeld - SMCC
- Biomedical - (Speakers/Leaders): Dr. Calvin Vary - Maine Medical Research Center; Dr. John Wise - Maine Center for Toxicology and Environmental Health, USM; Stephanie Dumont - BiomedWorks; Brunswick High School; Moderator Anita Bernhardt - Maine DOE
- Composites (Speakers/Leaders): John MacDonald - Foster Technology Center; Steve Hassett, Owner, Custom Composite Technologies, Inc.; Martin Grohman, President, Correct Building Products; Moderator Tad Johnston - Maine DOE
- Aquaculture and Marine Sciences (Speakers/Leaders): Jeffry Chase, Herring Gut Learning Center; David Finlay, Lubec Consolidated School; Dr. Christopher Davis - Center for Aquaculture Innovation Center - University of Maine; Sebastian Bell, Executive Director - Maine Aquaculture Association, Moderator Alan Lishness - Gulf of Maine Research Institute
- Advanced Technology for Forestry and Agriculture (Speakers/Leaders): Al Shaffer - Western Maine Forestry Reference Training Consortium; Oxford Hill CTE; Don Spranger - Washington Academy; Jack Healy, Executive Director - Maine Pulp and Paper Foundation; Moderator Doug Robertson, DOE
- Environmental (Speakers/Leaders): Frank Woodard - Woodard and Curran; Steve Pelletier, Stantec; Rick Wilson - Brunswick High School - Cathance Ecology Center; Moderator Mary Dunn - MMSA
- Information Technology (Speakers/Leaders): Principal Will Pidden, Durham Elementary School; Patsy Smith, Grade 7/8 Mathematics Teacher, Durham Elementary School; John Ricker, Technology Integrator, Durham Elementary School; Joe Kumiszcza, Executive Director - Tech Maine; Moderator Chad Dorsey - MMSA
- Precision Manufacturing (Speakers/Leaders): William Belcher, Development Engineering Manager, National Semiconductor; Tom Zack, Lanco Assembly Systems; Lori Arsenault - MaineFirst; Moderator Dr. John Wright - USM
12:45-1:50 Panel:
John E. Baldacci - Governor of State of Maine
Laura Fortman - Commissioner of Labor
Susan Gendron - Commissioner of Education
Dr. Richard Pattenaude - Chancellor of the University of Maine System
John Richardson - Commissioner of DECD
Moderator: Dr. Jake Ward - Director of Research, University of Maine
2:00-2:45 Breakouts (repeated from the morning)
3:00-3:45 Bridging STEM Areas
Representative Glenn Cummings - Speaker of the House of Representatives
Angus King - Former Governor of State of Maine
3:45-4:00 Concluding Remarks
Dr. Francis Eberle, Executive Director, Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance
Who Should attend?
Policy Makers and Legislators
District and School Administrators
School STEM Department heads and teachers
STEM Businesses
Higher Education STEM Faculty
STEM Researchers
When and Where?
January 24, 2008. Augusta Civic Center
Registration information
Maine
National
