News 14, Time Warner Cable work to promote STEM
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RALEIGH – Time Warner Cable and News 14 Carolina are starting a new series that highlights the educational activities and initiatives taking place all across the state to spur interest in the areas of science, technology and math.
Connect a Million Minds is Time Warner Cable's pledge of $100 million for the next five years to help kids cultivate their skills and their interest in these STEM-related fields.
"Only one in three eighth graders is proficient in math. Only one in five in science here in North Carolina, yet 80 percent of the jobs in the next decade will require STEM skills," Melissa Buscher, spokesperson for Time Warner Cable, said.
The company is partnering with local nonprofits to connect them with children and the community.
Right now, there are more than 1,000 after-school programs around the state that focus on STEM.
"There's a rich variety of after-school programs across the state doing various STEM activities, ranging from Lego robotics to working in engineering programs. Some of them are doing video game design.” Jamie Knowles, with the N.C. Center for After-School Programs, said. “It helps them get excited about STEM opportunities and get excited about possible career opportunities they weren't aware of."
John Dornan, executive director of the Public School Forum, has traveled the world with other educators and lawmakers to see how other countries teach their children.
His most recent trip to Singapore highlighted how much the government is focusing on STEM fields.
"It's not that our students are going downhill. We're standing still, and other countries like Singapore, China and India are making huge investments in their young people, and with a particular focus on math and science,” Dornan said. “That's our competition in the future. It's not South Carolina. It's not California. It's emerging countries."
Time Warner Cable is the parent company of News 14 Carolina.