On Wednesday, November 13, residents at Ashby Ponds retirement community in Ashburn hosted a panel of Northern Virginia educators who discussed the STEM programs in their schools and school districts. The panelists were invited by the resident Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) group at the community and included representatives from Arlington County, Fairfax County, Falls Church City, and Loudoun County Public Schools.
At a ribbon cutting for Virginia’s 16th STEM academy last August, Governor Bob McDonnell said "making sure Virginia's students have access to the best education possible is the single most important thing we can do to ensure their success in the future. In today's highly technical global economy, careers in science, technology, engineering and math are on the rise. In order for our students to be successful and fill rapidly expanding technical jobs, we must ensure mastery of the STEM subjects.”
Noting the importance of STEM education, Ashby Ponds resident Bob Squire launched the STEM resident group at the community on May 14, 2013. There are about 20 members of the group who meet on a monthly basis, most of whom have spent their careers in one or more of the STEM occupations and volunteer to talk about aspects of their careers.
Find out what's happening in Ashburnfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
STEM group member and Ashby Ponds resident Polly Liss took the lead in organizing the November 13 panel event. For several years, Liss served (and still serves as an ex officio member) on the Arlington County Public Schools Citizens Advisory Committee on Career, Technology, and Adult Education. “Education has changed so much,” said Liss. “There are so many ways to collaborate and make the best out of the funds available to serve as many students as possible.”
Seidah Ashshaheed, the Principal at Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School in the Falls Church City Public School system, said that STEM education in Falls Church City begins at a very early age. “We start with hands on training in preschool,” said Ashshaheed. Her school has even renamed the “Science Fair” to the “STEM Fair,” welcoming projects involving technology, engineering, and mathematics as well.
In Loudoun County, Shirley Bazdar, the Director for Career and Technical & Adult Education for Loudoun County Public Schools, explained that the school system is working with the school board and the Board of Supervisors on furthering STEM opportunities in the County. “We would like to have a center for STEM in Loudoun,” said Bazdar. “We have a vision and hopefully you’ll be hearing more about that soon.” Currently, Loudoun offers the Academy of Science at Dominion High School and the Monroe Technology Center, the Loudoun Governor's Career and Technical STEM Academy, according to Bazdar.
Find out what's happening in Ashburnfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The group of six panelists presented to about 85 residents of the community.
About Ashby Ponds: Ashby Ponds, one of 16 retirement communities managed by Erickson Living, is situated on a scenic 132-acre campus in Ashburn, Virginia (approximately 30 miles west of Washington, D.C.). The community is home to over 725 residents and has over 120 resident-run and resident-driven clubs and groups, an indoor pool, a fitness club, transportation services, 24-hour security, and flexible dining options. More information about Ashby Ponds can be found at www.ericksonliving.com.
