By Charlie Deitz
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Massachusetts – This week science is taking center stage in Massachusetts, from President Obama's visit to Boston, to the governor traveling abroad to promote technology based commerce. WAMC's Berkshire Bureau Chief Charlie Deitz has the report
Tech Boston Academy was once a failing school in the Boston public school system, but with an investment from the Bill and Melinda gates Foundation, the pilot program has been able to turn around grabbing some of the highest graduation rates and math and science scores in the city. President Obama made a stop at the school Tuesday afternoon, and after his tour gave a speech telling America that Tech Boston shows that it can be done.
The president, marking March as education month, added that the fields the Tech Boston students are learning about will be ripe for teaching jobs in the near future.
The Mass GOP was quick to counter the president's enthusiasm, as communications manager Tim Buckley noted the state sold its educational strength for a quick 250 million dollar federal grant, in other words, the race to the top competition which Massachusetts won.
Governor Patrick missed the President's visit, as he is spending the week in Israel, trying to promote business partnerships in the science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM fields. Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray who hosted President Obama in Boston , says Governor Patrick is abroad selling the state's best asset, innovation.
Lieutenant Governor Murray was appointed by Governor Patrick to chair the state's STEM advisory board, which he says is there to draft new talent to the growing field.
In Western Massachusetts, up and coming scientists will get a chance to flex their STEM muscles this Friday at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Region 1 Science Fair, representing the best high school projects from the 4 western counties of the commonwealth. MCLA President Doctor Mary Grant, also a board member on the STEM advisory council says the fair is growing every year in attendance and innovation.
This week, officials from the state are at MCLA evaluating plans for the college's new Science Center, which will break ground this fall. Doctor Grant says the new building will take from real world science environments, focusing on integration as a path to innovation.
Today Governor Patrick met with several prominent leaders in the Israeli Parliament as well as Prime Minister Netanyahu to discuss partnerships and growth in the high tech markets.