The Utah STEM Action Center has filed for the creation of a foundation and appointed a director. The foundation will support the center’s mission to promote science, technology, engineering, and math by connecting industry resources to students.
The Director of the new Utah STEM Foundation is Allison Spencer, former Foundation Director for Canyons School District. In her previous position, Spencer worked with state lawmakers and corporations to raise awareness and funds for STEM-related programs throughout the district.
“We bought robotic kits as part of their STEM course, so every 6th and 7th grader in Canyons takes a STEM course," Spencer says. "It was amazing to see the companies jump on board and see that kids were more engaged when they had these hands-on experiences.”
Spencer wants to take this model across the state by tapping into grants and industry resources. “Being able to connect the corporations to these students and teachers whether it be through jobs shadows or internships, just building those relationships I think is going to be really helpful for the state of Utah,” she says.
Spencer says the goal is to increase workforce opportunities that will fuel Utah’s economy.
