Senate Gives Final Passage to Measure Encouraging Women and Minorities to Pursue Careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

The New York State Senate today gave final passage to legislation (S1960) sponsored by Senator Joseph Robach (R-C-I, Rochester) that would provide science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) grants to encourage more women and minorities to pursue careers in these fields. 

Senator Robach said, “Today, more than ever before, there is a significant need for professionals with a background in science, technology, engineering, and math. Unfortunately many of these high paying jobs are going unfilled. This legislation would provide increased access to educational programs and financial aid for minorities and women, and would help encourage them to seek careers in STEM after their schooling. New York is uniquely positioned as we have quickly become a leader in the technology and advanced manufacturing industry, so the job opportunities in the STEM fields are available right here, in our own backyard.”

While some of the fastest-growing and highest-paying jobs involve STEM skills, there are less women and minorities in these respective fields. This bill would create a grant program for state public schools, charters, and BOCES programs to provide STEM programs for grades 6-12, and would be designed to encourage more women and minorities to pursue careers in these areas. 

A 2010 survey by the Bayer Corporation reported that 77 percent of female and minority chemists and chemical engineers said significant numbers of women and minorities are missing from the nation’s STEM workforce because they were not identified, encouraged, or nurtured to pursue STEM studies early on. The bill would help address the concerns raised by this study and others, and would fill a critical need for workers skilled in the areas of demand in today's economy.

The bill will be sent to the Governor for review.