Introduction by U.S. House Representative Ed Royce. Judy is in the front row at center of photo.
Last Wednesday, May 16th, 2014, may be remembered for wildfires and record high temperatures in southern California, but NPI Services, Inc., founder and president Judy Greenspon was keeping it cool as the keynote speaker for the 2014 California 39th District Congressional STEM Competition Awards, The event was hosted by U.S. Representative Ed Royce, also a sponsor of the bill to create these competitions to advance STEM Education (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).
This year’s competition, informally known as The House App Contest, was an opportunity for high school students to create and exhibit software applications for a platform of their choosing. Not surprisingly, mobile phones were their platform of choice! Mirroring real-life product development, students were encouraged to seek mentoring from community STEM educational partners, and were provided with online resources for app developers. Using YouTube or VIMEO, students presented their work for the competition. At the awards venue, contestants also exhibited display boards for their apps.
In her keynote address, Judy stressed how working with numbers applies to almost every field of endeavor. Within her lifetime, the post-Sputnik Space Race caused the nation to focus more on math and science education, to produce more aerospace engineers and scientists. But as students’ resources progressed from slide rules to costly handheld calculators (with functions that are now available on calculators at the 99 Cents Only store!) to scarce and expensive room-sized computer resources, and forward to the present computing, communication, and information environment, today’s students use STEM for everything, including the arts and social sciences. Whatever these young competitors dream and do, their STEM education will play a part!
To view Rep. Royce’s press releases about the event, follow the links below:
MEDIA ADVISORY: Rep. Royce Hosts 2014 Congressional STEM Competition Exhibition
Rep. Royce Congratulates 2014 Congressional STEM Competition Participants, Announces Winning Team