Top Story
September 25, 2009
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Academy to bolster Colorado’s STEM careers
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Jeff Forrest, chair of Metro State’s Aviation and Aerospace Science Department, is a co-founder of the ADSC program. |
Metropolitan State College of Denver is an inaugural partner in a new consortium developed to stimulate interest in careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Metro State, Colorado School of Mines, the Community College of Denver and the Cherry Creek School District comprise the Academy for the Development of STEM-related Careers (ADSC), which has been established to position Colorado as a leader in scientific and technology education and to ensure that Colorado’s students – from kindergarten to the graduate level – are grounded in and connected to cutting-edge innovation.
Since the announcement of the ADSC on Sept. 21, “my phone has been ringing nonstop with calls from colleges and private citizens. The level of interest has blindsided me,” says Jeff Forrest, chair of Metro State’s Aviation and Aerospace Science Department. Forrest co-founded the ADSC program with Burke Fort, director of the Colorado School of Mines’ 8th Continent Project.
Forrest says the ADSC is a “response to the needs of employers in the Denver Metro area and of government officials throughout the state to coordinate efforts that bolster education and interest in science, technology, engineering and math among students of all ages.”
Noting the importance of undergraduate research programs, Forrest says “Metro State is a real key player as we are at the center between two-year colleges and doctoral programs.”
The first area of focus of the ADSC will be aerospace science. The ADSC intends to provide scholarship, internship, mentoring and career-path opportunities to students and members of the community who want to develop the skills and competencies needed to obtain jobs in the aerospace industry and related sectors.
The ADSC plans to provide educational certifications and specialized training to connect its targeted learning communities to job readiness and career enhancement, and to coordinate with state Workforce Centers throughout the region to facilitate job training and assist in job placement.
Forrest described the ADSC as a “community of intellectual capital and knowledge-sharing that will reach students of all ages to encourage innovation and creativity in the sciences, technology and entrepreneurship.”
The announcement was highlighted on Sept. 21 in the Denver Business Journal.
