Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64 Page 65 Page 66 Page 67 Page 68 Page 69 Page 70 Page 71 Page 7224 S G M A G A Z I N E | FA L L 2 0 1 6 B U S I N E S S + C U LT U R E 25 Harley Langdale Jr. Foundation Helps Bolster STEM Education in Lowndes County The Harley Langdale Jr. Foundation recently provided both the Valdosta City Schools and Lowndes County Schools with $50,000 to be used toward science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. In addition, the foundation made a commitment of $50,000 annually to each school system for the next four years to advance STEM initiatives. Both school systems are using the funds to create a rigorous, relevant curriculum of academic helps emphasize the connection that the arts have in science, technology, engineering, and math.” According to the Georgia Department of Education, STEAM is science, technology, engineering, and mathematics infused with meaningful arts integration. STEAM utilizes the arts as a vehicle for demonstrating what has been learned while increasing creativity and teaching ‘habits of mind’ that can be applied to any subject. VSU’s STEAM Center, housed in Martin Hall, features high-tech classrooms, video conferencing capabilities, and an expansive multi- purpose room perfect for hosting science events and competitions. “This is more than a building,” Gerber said. “I think of it as a living, breathing structure that will change and morph depending on what group is using the building and the activities involved. With the flexible furniture and high- tech rooms, it can look very different one day to the next.” The STEAM Center will increase collaborations between VSU faculty and K-12 teachers throughout South Georgia, as well as the general public. “This is a community-based outreach building that not only connects K-12 students and teachers but also serves a large population of homeschooled students in our area,” said Gerber, who has helped secure more than $6 million in grants at VSU to promote teacher education in STEM areas. “With my science and mathematics background, I understand that the foundation of being successful in these areas is the creative and innovative process.” Valdosta State University is Bringing the “Arts” to STEM Education Efforts Valdosta State University is moving “full STEAM ahead” as it integrates the “arts” within its focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) initiatives. In May, VSU officially opened its $2.5 million STEAM Center for Applied Creativity and Innovation, which was funded by the General Assembly. The center provides expanded training to K-12 and university students and regional public and private teachers in the STEAM areas. “With our close relationship to the arts in our community and all the theater performances, art exhibits and music performances at Valdosta State it was an obvious choice to include the arts as part of our overall STEM program,” said Dr. Brian Gerber, interim provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. “There is a lot more in common between STEM and the arts than one might imagine. Adding the A for arts 24 S G M A G A Z I N E | FA L L 2 0 1 6 study to engage and inspire students to seek careers in STEM areas. “We are so pleased to be a part of the STEM initiatives within the Lowndes County and Valdosta City schools systems through this donation,” said Donnie Warren, executive director of the Harley Langdale Jr. Foundation. “Our desire is to help give our young people the opportunity to gains skills and knowledge they will need to succeed in the future. This program will do just that. We look forward to watching the children and the program grow over the next five years.” According to the National STEM Foundation, America’s greatest competitive advantage is the ability to innovate. The National STEM Foundation states, “Currently, the nation’s technological innovation is in jeopardy. There is a shortage of workers trained in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and advanced manufacturing within industry, particularly high-tech manufacturing.” Valdosta City Schools and Lowndes County Schools have adopted curriculum from Project Lead the Way (PLTW), which is the nation’s leading provider of K-12 STEM programs for students and teachers in more than 8,000 schools across the U.S. According to PLTW, by 2018 the U.S. will have more than 1.2 million unfilled jobs in STEM career fields. Despite the vast career opportunities, approximately 75 percent of students with high skill levels in math and science decide not to pursue STEM in college. “I would like to thank the Harley Langdale Jr. Foundation for the devotion to its mission of ensuring children have every opportunity to succeed in education and life,” said Dr. William Todd Cason, superintendent of Valdosta City Schools. “The generosity of the foundation has and will continue to afford our students at both middle schools with opportunities to experience STEM education more interactively with the purchase of hands-on science, technology, engineering, and math manipulatives.” Corporate sponsorship and funding is an important part of the overall success of STEM education. For many years, the Harley Langdale Jr. Foundation has been an avid supporter of educational programs and initiatives in local K-12 schools, in addition to Wiregrass Georgia Technical College and Valdosta State University. Creating a strong STEM workforce is part of the foundation’s commitment to support the community and create jobs. “We are thankful for the generous donation from the Harley Langdale Jr. Foundation,” said Wes Taylor, superintendent of Lowndes County Schools. “We will utilize these funds to engage students in meaningful STEM experiences in each of our schools. The Harley Langdale Jr. Foundation is a valued community partner with the Lowndes County School System and helps support relevant learning activities for our students.” PHOTO: PAUL LEAVY