State officials, students celebrate STEM Day

Students showed off their robots and gizmos today in the Florida Capitol courtyard, a display of technological marksmanship to celebrate STEM Day.

State officials touted studies in STEM, or science, technology, engineering and math, as critical Florida's economy and future at the annual event, which included displays from South Florida students. It was sponsored by the Motorola Solutions Foundation and Florida FIRST Robotics.

"STEM education is critical for the state of Florida," said Jesse Panuccio, executive director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. "We have one of the highest job growth rates in the nation, and as we continue to grow this economy, we want to have a workforce that is ready to meet these new businesses we have starting here."

Panuccio said there are a record 292,000 unique job openings across the state, and that more than half of them require STEM education. Studies show STEM jobs tend to pay more than non-STEM jobs at the same education level, he added.

"Our future leaders and innovators in this state are right here standing next to me ready to be the leaders of tomorrow," said Florida Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart.

Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera championed STEM funding plans in Gov. Rick Scott's budget, which includes $40 million for colleges to expand STEM programs by building new facilities and renovation. The governor has also proposed $5 million for colleges to offer STEM bachelor's degrees for $10,000 or less.

"Your imagination can only go so far," Lopez-Cantera said. "We need to help foster that imagination so that it can grow and flourish."