AZ recognized for science training, entrepreneurship
Written on June 2, 2010
Arizona is getting praise for its commitment to training in science, technology, engineering and math as a way of promoting entrepreneurship.
The Campaign for Free Enterprise, a project of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Chamber Foundation, cited Arizona as having put in place polices that bode well for the future of business development. Efforts from tax policies to the Arizona Economic Resource Organization’s Fund of Funds were cited as ways to bolster the state’s entrepreneurs.
STEM training stood out as numerous state groups have been pushing that area in the report.
“There is a lot going on in STEM in Arizona,” said Steve Zylstra, president and CEO of the Arizona Technology Council. “We are in no way, shape or form where we need to be, but the idea is that we’re putting a lot of things in place.”
The AZTC has been involved with several STEM projects, and its foundation heads STEM the Tide, a program aimed at developing resources for teachers and students in Arizona schools payday advance lenders.
Science Foundation Arizona also is working to create more STEM awareness, said Darcy Renfro, vice president and director of STEM initiatives at SFAz.
“States play a pivotal role in setting the stage for competition, productivity and innovation,” she said via e-mail. “That should include education, which is the responsibility of the state. SFAz is a very good example of how states create these opportunities through this unique public/private partnership that is based on competition, innovation and outcomes.”
While the study recognized a number of things, it didn’t highlight areas such as research and education for students, skills that will be sorely needed for Arizona to be competitive, Renfro said.
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