Thursday, September 27, 2012

Santa Fe, NM – Congressman Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico’s Third District announced today that the University of New Mexico-Taos has received a $249,998 grant through the Department of Labor’s Upward Bound Math and Science program.  The Upward Bound Math and Science program is designed to strengthen the math and science skills of participating students by helping them recognize and develop their potential to excel in math and science and encourage them to pursue postsecondary degrees and careers in these fields.

“Encouraging students to develop their skills in math and science is an essential component to growing a stronger economy with an educated workforce that is prepared to out-innovate the competition,” Congressman Luján said.  “Math, science, and all of the STEM fields offer opportunities to students who have the training and knowledge to compete for the jobs of the future.  Funding through the Upward Bound program will enhance UNM-Taos’ efforts to encourage students to pursue these important fields of study.”

As a member of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, Luján has focused on strengthening science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education in New Mexico and across the country.  He held a Workforce Development Summit last year to help identify industry workforce needs and discuss how to improve training in STEM fields.  Luján has also introduced legislation to improve STEM education through teacher training and enhanced curricula that identifies the skills employers are looking for.

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