Stem Education In Southwestern Illinois

    Workforce has become the key to economic development in the 21st Century. And nothing is more important than a highly skilled, technical workforce. As you will read in the Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois story in this section, site selectors are searching for that workforce and let it be known that, if we build it,…

By ALAN J. ORTBALS    Not only is McKendree University the oldest college in the state of Illinois, it also boasts the oldest chapter of the Sigma Zeta National Honor Society. The society’s purpose is to foster the attainment of knowledge in the natural and computer sciences and mathematics. McKendree hosted the society’s national convention two…

By ALAN J. ORTBALS    Over the last two years, representatives of the Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois have spoken to more than 12,000 students, parents and teachers regarding STEM education and employment opportunities.    Ronda Sauget, executive director of the council, said one of the first things she did when she began the job was to go…

By ALAN J. ORTBALS    On March 24, about 300 middle and high school students from across 10 Southern Illinois counties will be presenting their research projects at the annual Science and Engineering Research Challenge at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.     SIUE initiated this competition in 1984 to stimulate students’ interest in science and technology while…

By ALAN J. ORTBALS    STEM education is all about how science, technology, engineering and mathematics work together to solve problems, according to Madison County Regional Superintendent of Schools Bob Daiber.    “There are no silos of knowledge in technology,” Daiber said. “You don’t just have science; you don’t just have math. It takes all four working…

By RICHARD J. MARK    One of the hallmarks of the utility industry is the deep institutional knowledge of the workforce. In utility companies throughout the country, it’s not unusual to hear about employees who have worked in the business for upward of 40 years or more. Why? There are a number of reasons, but there…

By ALAN J. ORTBALS    The Southern Illinois Builders Association is working a multi-pronged strategy to attract young people to the construction industry where science, technology, engineering and math are its building blocks.    Each October, SIBA holds its Career Expo, which offers middle and high school students from schools across Southwestern Illinois the opportunity to get…