The Future of Science in Eastern NC

Rebecca Stamilio-Ehret

By Jasmin Aparicio-Tobar
Edgecombe Early College High School

Rebecca Stamilio-Ehret, Pre-Engineering coordinator and instructor of Physics and Industrial Trades/Technology at Edgecombe Community College, joined K-12 educators and administrators, primarily from Eastern North Carolina, to find strategic ways to enhance science education.

“We are trying to make Eastern North Carolina and Edgecombe County graduates more science literate so that they will be prepared for a wide variety of jobs in the future,” said Stamilio-Ehret.

The Smithsonian Science Education Center’s Strategic Planning Institute took place in Washington, D.C. at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian. The instruction was funded by STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) East. At this training, school participants developed a strategic plan for science in school systems.

The ECC instructor attended the training as a community partner, or an individual from a community college or local industry. She joined teacher representatives from Martin Millennium Academy, Stocks Elementary School and Tarboro High School, among others.

“One of the goals for this project (strategic plan) is not just to make the science classes better, but to also incorporate science and engineering practices into everything,” acknowledged Stamilio-Ehret.

Although the strategic plan was not completed at the meeting, a 30-60-90 plan, including the next action steps, was achieved.

“There’s tons of jobs in our local area that are going unfilled because people don’t have the right skill set in order to go into those areas,” said Stamilio-Ehret. She believes a strategic plan will be beneficial in ensuring students are equipped with the skills necessary to succeed at the college level and in their career.

Some words of encouragement that Stamilio-Ehret would give to kids who want to be in a career that involves STEM but are finding it difficult–“Ask questions, have an open mind, and be curious about the world around you.”