Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson led the field hearing in Dallas at Townview Magnet School on STEM education. The hearing also featured the Committee Chairman Rep. Ralph Hall. Congresswoman Johnson serves as the ranking member for the Committee on Science, Space, & Technology and has been a leading advocate for the advancement of Science Technology Engineering and Math Education in the United States.
"I brought together a diverse group of participants representing a range of viewpoints to identify strategies to improve STEM education in our country. I am pleased that in the Dallas area, we have many high tech companies that recognize how critical STEM education is to their local workforce needs. These companies also recognize the importance of broadening the STEM pipeline to creating a strong and diverse STEM workforce,” Congresswoman Johnson said.
“On average, our K-12 students are lagging far behind in tests of math and science aptitude. Even more troubling is our persistent achievement gap for historically underrepresented groups. As the first female and first African American Ranking Member of the Committee, I am committed to the task of broadening participation in STEM fields so that all of our Nation’s students are prepared for the jobs of the 21st century,” Congresswoman Johnson concluded.
A distinguished list of panelists included Ms. Lisa Brady Gil (Director, Office of Education Policy & Productivity Solutions Business, Texas Instruments), Mr. Eric Reeves (Founder & Managing Director Highbar Companies), Mr. Gregg Fleisher (National AP Director, National Math & Science Initiative), Ms Dee Chambliss (T-Stem Initiative, Texas High School Project, Communities Foundation of Texas), Mr. John Shellene (President Sherpa Management Partners), Ms. Jovan Wells (Principal, Science & Engineering Magnet School, Townview Center), Ms. Jennifer Stimpson (Science Teacher Hockaday School), Dr. Jean Gerlach (Associate Vice President for K-16 Initiatives and Dean of the College of Education & Health Professions, University of Texas Arlington), Dr Hobson Widenthal (Executive Vice President & Provost University of Texas Dallas)
