Governor signs STEM contract for Mangilao school
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 16, 2012
George Washington High School will undergo renovations to turn 17 classrooms into state-of-the-art facilities where students can concentrate on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Governor Calvo signed the contract for the renovations today.
“This is going to open up a world of possibilities for the Geckos,” Lt. Governor Ray Tenorio, a 1983 GW graduate, said. “I applaud Dr. Robert Underwood for his vision in aligning the curriculum of the Mangilao campus to the future efforts of the University, and I appreciate Dr. Nerissa Underwood for pushing this through when she was Superintendent of Education. It is indeed a great program for Guam.”
The concentration on STEM speaks to the growing need for professionals in different specialized fields where high school focus on science, technology, engineering and math is needed. This effort coincides with the University of Guam’s push to open a School of Engineering in the future. Both GWHS and UOG are pioneering this effort so their alumni can develop a more skilled workforce and industrial base in Guam’s future.
The focus on this area of the adopted curriculum also opens up doors and interest for GW students, who did not have these facilities and tools before. It is something the Department of Youth Affairs director is hoping will attract the interest of at-risk youth and provide opportunities for turnaround in their lives.
“This is especially important for at-risk youth looking for an outlet or looking to be challenged,” DYA Director Adonis Mendiola said. Mendiola himself attended GW, and his son does now. “More and more I’m seeing that our clientele here really shouldn’t be at DYA. Some of them just needed to be challenged. These are really smart kids. I’m hopeful this focus on STEM can pull in these students and others, hone their skills and interests, and push them into college.”
Superintendent of Education Jon Fernandez has made the renovations of these classrooms a major priority of his. He is working with the Governor to see what can be done to accommodate the double session at GW that will be needed in order for DOE to issue the notice to proceed for the renovations.
Please call Natalie Quinata at 475-9213 or 488-6013 for more information.
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