The St. Pete Innovation District would like to invite you to participate in a virtual convening of professionals who lead youth STEM/STEAM programs. The purpose of this convening is exploration – to share the successes, consider what is possible, and decide if there are opportunities for collaboration. If you would like to register please email: abarlow@stpeteinnovationdistrict.com. Why Is This Important?
Career opportunities in the fields of science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) are continuing to increase. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts overall employment in the economy to grow by 7.4% between 2016 and 2026, while jobs in STEM fields are expected to grow by 10.8%. Imagine if you add the arts and humanities to these statistics.The City of St. Petersburg and Pinellas County have identified target industries that are believed to be the foundation of our economic growth. Each of these fields have numerous STEAM careers. For example, the City’s target industries are Marine/Life Science, Data Analytics, Creative Art & Design, Specialized Manufacturing, and Financial Services. Diverse representation matters in these fields to increase innovation, team performance, and future growth. We would like to come up with a collective approach on building the skill sets of underrepresented populations, particularly Black students and other communities of color, in the STEAM careers.