Office of Primary Care and Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) Program

Sandra Thompson May, senior lab/research technician in pathology and laboratory medicine

(JULY 21, 2023) Sandra Thompson May, senior lab/research technician in pathology and laboratory medicine, was impressed by a recent i-STEM (Idaho Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) educator professional development workshop she participated in at Idaho State University (ISU) and the benefits of the workshops for Idaho’s students and communities, according to the Idaho State Journal.

The STEM Action Center is taking a proactive approach to preparing all of Idaho’s Pre-K through college students for the future and meeting the needs of Idaho’s economy and employers. This summer, ISU’s site offered a variety of iSTEM workshops for every level of Pre-K to 12 student and educator, such as Machine Learning, Inventing and STEM, and Beyond This World with STREAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math).

“College-bound students want to come to Vermont to be educated … but they struggle to find jobs in Vermont once they complete their degrees,” May said. “Idaho is very forward thinking on this point and seems to have made great strides in both training and retaining their young adults who are educated or skilled or both … Many states could learn from Idaho’s model and Idaho’s implementation of this model starting at the elementary level. Families can rest assured that their children are being set up, from the get-go, for success as they gain valuable life skills disguised as STEM skills.”