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2014 SESSION

14103109D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 111
Offered January 8, 2014
Encouraging the opening of the Virginia Science Technology Engineering and Applied Mathematics Academy.
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Patron-- Helsel
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Referred to Committee on Rules
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WHEREAS, the Virginia Science Technology Engineering and Applied Mathematics Academy, a proposed academy in Hampton, looks to strengthen the future of the Commonwealth by providing opportunities for students in scientific disciplines; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia Science Technology Engineering and Applied Mathematics (STEAM) Academy is a multi-dimensional initiative aimed at strengthening the Commonwealth’s educational and economic future by attracting more students to the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics early in their academic careers and providing accelerated learning for highly able students; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia STEAM Academy has four components—a publicly accessible, statewide boarding high school; a statewide summer academy for grades six through eight; online, on-demand course instruction; and professional development; and

WHEREAS, other models of a public, statewide boarding academy that focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics have generated pools of graduates who are exceptionally well-prepared for college, careers, and citizenship; and

WHEREAS, the oldest such model, the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, demonstrated in an independent study that 60 percent of its graduates chose to remain in North Carolina to pursue careers, establish businesses, and contribute to their communities, and the Virginia STEAM Academy intends to bring the same benefits to the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia STEAM Academy leverages local, state, federal, and private investments in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics by working cooperatively with businesses, research and development entities, school divisions, colleges and universities, parents, students, members of the community, and the military to provide instruction, mentorship, and sabbatical opportunities for students and faculty; and

WHEREAS, surrounded by leading federal, state, and private scientific initiatives, Fort Monroe in Hampton is the preferred site for the Virginia STEAM Academy; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia STEAM Academy will help position Hampton Roads and the Commonwealth as a hub for talent development in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the opening of the Virginia Science Technology Engineering and Applied Mathematics Academy hereby be encouraged; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare copies of this resolution for presentation to Judy K. Stewart and M. Caroline Martin, the cofounders of the Virginia Science Technology Engineering and Applied Mathematics Academy, requesting that the cofounders further disseminate copies of this resolution to their respective constituents so that they may be apprised of the sense of the General Assembly of Virginia in this matter.