New Video Showcases SciTech Institute’s Signature STEM Programs

By Jeremy Babendure, Executive Director, SciTech Institute

If you’re wondering why STEM literacy is the fuel that helps power Arizona’s growing economy, and how the SciTech Institute is at the heart of building that healthy ecosystem, do I have a captivating highlight reel for you.

Check out our new video showcasing our work – and the impact we are having across the state.

Cool, right? The Institute, an initiative of the Arizona Commerce Authority and the Arizona Technology Council Foundation, unites the community around STEM through partnerships with business and academia. It creates tangible, engaging, meaningful opportunities for economic growth, skilled workforce development and educational advancement in a statewide collective STEM ecosystem.

Sandra Watson, the ACA’s president and CEO, calls SciTech “a game changer for Arizona” because of our commitment to advancing STEM learning and meeting the needs of global industries investing billions of dollars in Arizona.

“STEM education is more in demand than ever before,” Watson said. “The SciTech Institute is working to grow our STEM workforce, connecting with students and workers in unique and immersive ways. They are so critical to Arizona’s high-tech future.”

The ACA, a driving force for Arizona’s economic growth, is a key partner in SciTech’s work, as is Cox Communications. Cox is a longtime supporter that understands STEM opportunities must be available to all of Arizona’s youth.

“We know how important innovation is to our continued success as a technology provider,” said RJ Muller, Cox’s director of public affairs. “With all we do as a company to support our local communities, youth and education is our primary focus.”

The video captures several STEM-future opportunities we offer, including:

??? The Arizona SciTech Festival, the nation’s third-largest science festival, which each spring brings thousands of hands-on events in hundreds of communities across Arizona.

??? The Chief Science Officers program, pioneered in Arizona in 2015 and now a global blueprint for engaging youth in grades 6-12 to be STEM ambassadors for their schools, communities and private industry. In less than 10 years, the program has expanded to 15 states, and also has international chapters in Kenya, Kuwait and Mexico.

??? STEM Little Free Libraries, a partnership involving business, libraries, nonprofit organizations and volunteers producing and delivering thousands of STEM Kits to diverse communities across Arizona and the U.S.

??? A monthly newsletter that serves as a vital source of information, events, resources and the latest news about Arizona’s STEM ecosystem, with opportunities to be engaged in every corner of the Grand Canyon State.

Want to learn more or join us in this fun, important work? Here are five ways to be involved:

1.??? Stay current with all that's happening by subscribing to our newsletter

2.??? Become a monthly donor

3.??? Volunteer with our AZ SciTech Festival Street Team

4.??? Support STEM Little Free Libraries content

5.??? Mentor a Chief Science Officer

Let’s work together to inspire and equip our next generation of STEM leaders.

Special thanks for contributions to the creation of the video from S+C Communications, Dubek Media Group, and Arizona Commerce Authority.