Editor’s note: This story has been updated since original publication to clarify that BRAC is a partner in the Gen Ready collaborative.
The Baton Rouge Area Chamber is partnering with area schools and businesses to launch a regional STEM collaborative for the Baton Rouge area called Gen Ready, BRAC announced today.
The collaborative is the product of BRAC teaming with ExxonMobil, Dow Chemical, BASF, the Foundation for East Baton Rouge Schools and the West Baton Rouge School System to form one of 68 nationwide partnerships designated as STEM Ecosystems.
The STEM Ecosystems across the U.S.—part of the Clinton Global Initiative of the Clinton Foundation—aim to help get students greater access to STEM learning opportunities at school and at home.
“Economic development is contingent on a region’s skilled workforce pipeline,” said Monique Scott-Spaulding, chair of BRAC’s Education and Workforce Issue Council. “Our work with Gen Ready supports our commitment to cultivate the region’s talent through expansion of STEM learning and partnerships in PK-12 public education.”
BRAC has been advocating for STEM education in the Baton Rouge area since publishing a STEM Strategic Plan for the Region in 2014.
Gen Ready has the potential to address a key recommendation from BRAC’s 2014 report. Specific goals from the report that will be incorporated into Gen Ready include increasing:
- student interest, participation, and achievement in STEM;
- the number of effective STEM teachers and leaders;
- meaningful business and community STEM engagement; and,
- STEM education awareness and workforce alignment.
