Governor Earl Ray Tomblin visited Piedmont Elementary School in Charleston today to speak with a third grade class about the importance of STEM-based learning.
Tomblin issued a proclamation at Piedmont Elementary School announcing this week as the official week of Computer Science Education in West Virginia. Computer Science Education Week is a STEM-related initiative to encourage more technology based learning in West Virginia classrooms. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.
Tomblin visited with Laura Jensen’s third grade class.
“I’m hoping that they’ll see the governor today and recognize that they have a great deal of value that someone that important came to this school to watch them,” Jensen said.
Jensen hopes the visit encourages her students to stay interested in STEM related topics.
Governor Tomblin told the third graders STEM education is important because it will help them go to college and get jobs in the future.
“That’s part of my whole education reform plan, is you know, to get these kids to thinking about a career…let them know how important math and science and technology is. That’s where the jobs are going to be in the future,” Tomblin said.