Governor Parson Kicks Off Middle School STEAM Conference at University of Central Missouri

MARCH 25, 2019

Warrensburg — – Governor Mike Parson today kicked off a middle school conference at the University of Central Missouri celebrating science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math (STEAM). Hundreds of seventh and eighth graders from nearly 30 Missouri schools are participating in the event, which focuses on the importance of STEAM fields in the workplace.

“It’s exciting to see so many students gathered to explore and learn about gaining the skills and talents to succeed in their future workplace. Developing our future workforce is a top priority with this administration, and we are committed to expanding STEAM education opportunities for Missouri students,” said Governor Parson. “As we work to move Missouri forward, these students are learning the skills that give them a chance to change the world.”

Conference sessions throughout the day include hands-on opportunities in marketing, agriculture, cybersecurity, music and the visual arts, crime-scene forensics, and more. Students are grouped to participate in three different STEAM career sessions based on results from a career inventory given at their home schools. Students will also spend time touring the UCM campus.

The conference is a cooperative effort of the Office of College and Career Readiness within the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Central and Kansas City Regional Professional Development Centers, and the University of Central Missouri.