STEM

President & CEO John Knotwell’s Annual Members Meeting Remarks

2017 was a year of transition for UTC, yet we still gathered the community together for more than 50 professional development and networking events, put on an enviable and record breaking Hall of Fame Event where we were pleased to hear from global tech giant Microsoft’s CEO Satya Nadella. Our public policy team achieved 12 out of 12 objectives at this year’s legislative general session - with initiatives targeted at strengthening our workforce, expanding the talent ready grant program, and paving the way for strategic funding for SheTech, Silicon Slopes Tech Summit, and First Robotics. Throughout the last 7 months, [...]

By |2018-04-26T11:10:05-06:00April 26th, 2018|

How Two Skyline High Students Saved Their School

(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Twin 16-year-old brothers Kanishka, left, and Vikrant Ragula, seniors at Skyline, created a marketing campaign that helped get the bond passed that will rebuild their high school. By Paul Rolly This is a previously published article of the Salt Lake Tribune. To read the original article, click here The recent voter approval of a $238 million bond for Granite School District to rebuild some outdated schools and renovate and improve several others came after a hard-fought campaign. But outside of the politics and the public debates between well-funded factions on both [...]

By |2018-04-03T10:00:13-06:00April 3rd, 2018|

Computer Science In Every Utah Classroom Becoming A Reality

Media Statement For Immediate Release: March 15, 2018 Contact: Elizabeth Converse, Director of Strategic Communication Utah Technology Council 801-835-7087 | econverse@utahtech.org Computer Science In Every Utah Classroom Becoming A Reality Salt Lake City - John Knotwell, President and CEO of the Utah Technology Council, was appointed to the State Board of Education’s 2018 Computer Science Task Force today, along with other industry, education and political leaders. The Task Force is charged with proposing solutions to increase access to computer science in rural schools and underserved populations, as well as evaluate and strengthen current programs. Knotwell responded to the appointment, saying, [...]

By |2018-03-20T10:08:37-06:00March 20th, 2018|

From Utah’s Classrooms to Utah’s Workforce: Talent Development and Retention

      We all know how important a talented workforce is to the health of Utah’s businesses and overall economy. With the growth of Silicon Slopes, Utah industries are going to require more and more highly-skilled and highly educated workers in the coming years. Fortunately for us, Utah has a strong and vibrant system of higher education and technical colleges. Unfortunately, however, Utah is a net exporter of trained and educated talent. A recent analysis of census data shows that migrants coming to Utah from other states are less educated than Utahns leaving the state. Senate Bill 104, Talent [...]

By |2018-02-16T11:53:45-06:00February 16th, 2018|

Computer Science: Every Classroom, Every Age

  It was last October that I sat across from Aaron Skonnard, CEO of Pluralsight and former UTC board member, as he shared his vision for Utah’s educational future. The goal: computer science offered in every classroom at every age. As our economy changes, our education must change as well. Utah needs to invest in the digital future, to ensure that all our students have exposure to the skills desired in future workforces. Computer science is more than coding, it is creativity and innovation - problem solving through experience where the solutions are as unique as each individual student. For [...]

By |2018-01-31T13:49:10-06:00January 31st, 2018|

Funding Needed to Send Utah Robotics Teams to World Championship

Dear Friends of FIRST Utah Robotics, Thank you for helping us to make this year the best yet for FIRST Utah Robotics teams.  I am happy to report that more FIRST Utah teams qualified for World Championships in Houston April 19-22, than ever in our history.  The list of teams is included below, including 5 FIRST Robotics Competition teams (grades 9-12), 2 FIRST Tech Challenge teams (7-12th grade), and 2 FIRST Lego League teams (4th-8th grades), with the possibility of one more FIRST Lego League team qualifying. World Championships is a fantastic experience for teams as they travel and compete [...]

By |2017-04-05T07:18:06-06:00April 5th, 2017|
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