In hope of inspiring more area students to pursue careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) state and county leaders are bringing technology workshops to Bucks County schools via the new Mobile Fab (Fabrication) Lab.
The Bucks County Intermediate Unit (Bucks IU), an educational support agency aiding public and non-public schools in the county, was recently awarded a $412,656 PAsmart Advancing Grant for the project.
The Intermediate Unit, located at 705 North Shady Retreat Road in Doylestown, hosted an informative roundtable discussion meeting Feb. 28 regarding the plans, objectives, and projected impact of a Mobile Fab Lab.
Members of the panel included:
Judd Pittman, special advisor to Pennsylvania secretary of education and PDE special consultant on Science Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM); Mark Hoffman, Bucks IU executive director; Lindsey Sides, Bucks IU supervisor of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math (STEAM) Education; Mark Solis, Bucks County Workforce Development Board, business and industry specialist; Nicole Borland, Bucks IU supervisor of federal and nonpublic programs; Brian Suter, lead science teacher Neshaminy School District;
Also, Laura Enama, supervisor of science and elementary questioning and understanding through Engineering, Science and Technology (QUEST) Central Bucks School Districtct; Leon Poeske, director Bucks County Technical High School; Karen Snedeker, director of elementary education Bristol Township School District; Michael Donnelly, director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment, Palisades School District; state Rep. Wendy Ullman, District 143; state Rep. Wendi Thomas, District 178; state Rep. Meghan Schroeder, District 29.
Sen. Steve Santarsiero was represented by Stephen Seufert and Dan Fagan from his office.
Pittman explained that technical and computer science fields are growing by about 9 percent per year through 2026, and the average median salary for jobs in STEAM fields, science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics is $77,000 a year.
The Mobile Fab Lab will serve as a platform for learning and innovation: a place to play, to create, to learn, and to invent by providing students with project-based, hands-on, STEM education.
The traveling hands-on lab will visit Bucks County schools to teach middle school students about coding, robotics, programming, project-based learning, hardware and more. A specialized STEM teacher will accompany the Fab Lab with age-appropriate curriculums.
