Molecular Biology Initiative Named a STEM Education Awards Finalist

September 4, 2013

Georgia Southern University’s Molecular Biology Initiative (MBI) Program has been named a finalist in the Post Secondary Outreach category for the 2013 Georgia STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Education Awards presented by the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG). The awards recognize schools, programs and companies for outstanding efforts and achievements in supporting and promoting STEM education.

“Recent studies show that Georgia will need to fill approximately 211,000 STEM-related jobs by 2018,” said Tino Mantella, president and CEO of TAG. “The 2013 Georgia STEM Education Awards finalists are helping to prepare the tech-ready workforce to fill these jobs, and we applaud them for standing out as leaders in Georgia’s educational community.”

Georgia Southern’s MBI Program partners with teachers to bring hands-on, relevant content and technology into the schools and focuses on science (biotechnology, chemistry, physics, biology, forensics), including applicable technology and math skills.  “This program relies on strong university-school partnerships,” said Laura Regassa, Ph.D., director of the MBI Program. “The University provides resources and technological expertise and the teachers frame the delivery to maximize student learning and to align content with state standards.”

“It was truly a challenge for our judges to select the 2013 finalists from among more than 170 applicants from around Georgia,” said Michael Robertson, executive director of TAG Education Collaborative. “We must continue building a wave of activities that will prepare our students for the global workforce they will inherit. We hope recognizing these organizations and their programs will raise awareness on the importance of STEM education for our state’s economic future.”

Winners in eight categories will be honored during the 2nd Annual Georgia STEM Education Awards on Sept. 27 at 6:15 p.m. at the Savannah International Trade and Convention Center. The awards are sponsored by Cisco Systems, Inc. and the U.S. Department of Commerce-Economic Development Administration. For more information, visit bit.ly/STEMreg13.

Georgia Southern University, a Carnegie Doctoral/Research University founded in 1906, offers 125 degree programs serving more than 20,000 students. Through eight colleges, the University offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs built on more than a century of academic achievement.  Georgia Southern is recognized for its student-centered approach to education. Visit  www.georgiasouthern.edu.

About MBI

The MBI Program targets STEM education and workforce needs at multiple levels in southeast Georgia to ensure a real and lasting impact.  Participants include in-service teachers, K-12 students and students pursuing advanced STEM degrees.  Each semester, the program partners graduate student fellows with in-service high school teachers, and together, they bring technologically relevant, hands-on instruction to more than 900 students on a weekly basis.  For more information, visit  www.georgiasouthern.edu/mbi or contact Janee Cardell at (912) 478-1923.

About TAG Education Collaborative

TAG Education Collaborative is dedicated to developing science, technology, engineering and math initiatives in Georgia. Through partnerships with statewide STEM programs, TAG-Ed fosters student interest in STEM in order to increase appreciation for the opportunities available through technology careers. TAG-Ed hosts an internship program for high school students, two web-based team challenges for students interested in Health IT and web design and the Vine Event, an annual fundraiser benefiting STEM education. For additional information, visit TAG Education Collaborative or contact Michael Robertson at (404) 920-2038 or mrobertson@tagonline.org.

About The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG)

The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) is the leading technology industry association in the state while serving more than 21,500 members and hosting more than 200 events each year via five chapters across the state including metro Atlanta, Athens, Augusta, Columbus, Macon/middle Georgia and Savannah. TAG serves as an umbrella organization for 33 industry societies, each of which provides rich content for TAG constituents. TAG’s mission is to educate, promote, influence and unite Georgia’s technology community to foster an innovative and connected marketplace that stimulates and enhances a tech-based economy. The association provides members with access to networking and educational programs, recognizes and promotes Georgia’s technology leaders and companies and advocates for legislative action that enhances the state’s economic climate for technology. For more information visit tagonline.org.