Denver-area colleges, schools join forces to foster science, technology careers

Three Denver-area colleges and a school district said Monday they will collaborate on a new program to encourage students to enter into careers in science, technology, engineering and math -- the so-called "STEM" subjects.

The participants are Metropolitan State College of Denver, Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Community College of Denver and the Cherry Creek Schools in Arapahoe County.

The project is called the Colorado Academy for the Development of STEM-related Careers, or Colorado ADSC.

"Colorado ADSC is designed to position the state as a leader in STEM education and to ensure that its students -- from kindergarten through graduate level -- are tapped-in and connected to cutting-edge innovation," the partners said in a statement. They said the program "is a response to the needs of Colorado employers and government officials to coordinate efforts that bolster education and interest in STEM among students of all ages."

Many Colorado employers -- especially those in tech fields -- have encouraged local colleges and schools to do a better job at introducing students to STEM subjects. They cite a shortage of local students prepared for such careers, often forcing them to import many of their skilled workers from out of state.

The new effort was co-founded by Jeff Forrest, chairman of the Aviation and Aerospace Science Department at Metro State, and Burke Fort, director of the "8th Continent Project" at the School of Mines, which seeks to integrate space technology and resources into the global economy.

Colorado ADSC's focus at first will be on aerospace, "providing education, scholarships, internships, career guidance and mentoring to students desiring skills needed to build aerospace careers," the statement said.

It said the program "will provide educational certifications and specialized training that connect its targeted learning communities to job readiness and career enhancement. Colorado ADSC will also collaborate with Colorado Workforce Centers, which will facilitate training and assist in job placement."

Organizers described the program as an educational "bridge" anchored at one end by the Cherry Creek STEM Academy, passing through Metro State and CCD, and ending at School of Mines.

Denver Business Journal, 9/21/2009