Governor Phil Bredesen signed Executive Order No. 68 on Thursday, establishing the Tennessee STEM Innovation Network. The Network is charged with promoting and expanding the teaching and learning of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education in K-12 public schools across Tennessee.
"Tennessee is home to many STEM assets, including world-class public and private colleges and universities and internationally known companies operating in fields as diverse as energy, health care and technology," Gov. Bredesen said. "Our state is positioned to be a national leader in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math and this Network will help drive the development of the tools and resources that will help us realize those opportunities."
Established as a project within the Tennessee Department of Education, the network will conduct various STEM educational activities in coordination with local education agencies, including teacher professional development and curriculum development.
The network and its activities will be managed by Battelle Memorial Institute, a national leader in STEM education that partnered with the state of Tennessee in its successful bid in the federal Race to the Top competition.
The executive order also establishes the Tennessee STEM Advisory Council, which will advise the Department and Battelle on the operation of the Network. The advisory council will be made up of 14 members, including the commissioners of the Departments of Education and Economic and Community Development, and the chairpersons of the Senate and House Education committees.
The governor will also appoint ten additional members to the advisory council, including one member of the State Board of Education, one member of the Tennessee Board of Regents, one representative of the University of Tennessee, five representatives of STEM-related industries in Tennessee and two K-12 educators teaching in Tennessee public schools.