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To me, the excitement around STEM is the potential for discovery, new fields of study and applications that make people’s lives better – both in the day-to-day and in the grander scheme of human exploration and endeavor.
Inspired by my fascination with STEM, I earned my degree in agriculture and plant science from the University of Arizona. I later went on to start my education career and taught 7th grade biology in Yuma and I’ve been working in education for the past 20 years.
Currently, I serve students in Flagstaff Unified School District as the Director of College & Career Development, working with other stakeholders to prepare students for their future after high school through career awareness, exploration, and other preparation opportunities. It’s my belief that students who graduate from this program are better positioned to succeed in the career paths they take after graduation.
To me, STEM is important because it speaks to the aspirational spirit within people. Both the educational system and career landscape need to provide robust and meaningful opportunities for those who are inspired to reach beyond the day-to-day and expand the boundaries of human knowledge, skill, and ability.
Our community – exception as it is – is a single thread in the larger tapestry of the human experience and endeavor. We need to be making as large an impact as we can where we are. If we do a good job with that, then we earn opportunities to spread our influence to other areas for the benefit of those beyond Northern Arizona.
Tom Safranek
Director of College & Career Development, Flagstaff Unified School District
Board Vice President, Flagstaff STEM City
ELEVATING PEOPLE AND PLACE THROUGH STEM
NASA National Student Challenge
Are you interested in leading a student team to design their own NASA Mission?
Sign up for NASA’s National Student Challenge program and get hands-on activities like rocket building, rover programming, and cultivating moon plants!
For this school year, the challenge takes its inspiration from the Artemis Mission to send humans back to the Moon.
A team must consist of 3 to 6 students in grades 3–12, working together to complete the challenge. Qualified teams receive challenge supplies.
To learn more and view the schedule for the Artemis ROADS II Challenge, click here. Deadline to register is January 17, 2024.
Ways to Support Our Work
STEM City is a 501c(3) nonprofit organization, supported solely by grants, sponsorships and individual donations. Your donation to STEM City will help improve academic knowledge and achievement, leading to a locally grown workforce that is strong in innovation and 21st century work skills. Please join us as we work together to strengthen STEM literacy, promote STEM-related businesses, and sustain STEM initiatives.
Learn more about donating to STEM City here.
STEM City is grateful for the support of
Arizona Community Foundation of Flagstaff and Creative Flagstaff.
Copyright (C) 2023 Flagstaff STEM City. All rights reserved.