Oneida County Taking Part In National Teacher STEM Training Program

Utica, NY (WIBX) - Oneida County is taking part in a national teacher training program this summer. County Executive Anthony Picente, says the goal is to train area educators on how best to incorporate Science, Technology, Engineering and Math curriculum into their class rooms this summer. "The teachers are going to spend part of their summer learning this but then moving on and teaching the young people that it doesn't take 10 years of schooling to get through this in terms of after high school, they can begin building seeds through these program from grades 7 to 12," Picente said.

The two-day program will take place locally, and at the College of Nanoscale Science and Technology in Albany. BOCES Superintendent, Howard Mettelman said, "Part of this is on a school base and part of this is on a region." He goes on to say, "The program is going to really highlight part of our STEM hub initiative, which is to make sure our Math, Science and Technology educators are going to be trained in integrated learning. They're actually going to be with industry specialists."

According to officials, the program can accommodate 40 teachers this summer. Those who signed up for the training are from 13 of the 16 area school districts. Also, the training is made possible thanks to a partnership with the following organizations: The Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties, Inc., Workforce Investment Board of Herkimer, Madison and Oneida Counties and BOCES.

To learn more about the program contact any of the participating groups above or call BOCES at (315) 793-8503.