STATE SCIENCE ADVISOR Developing government, education and private sector partnerships. The State Science Advisor (SSA), appointed by the Governor, provides advice and counsel on science and technology issues to the Governor, state legislature and other state agencies. The Science Advisor serves on a broad range of boards and commissions pursuant to the oversight of key scientific initiatives, research efforts, federal and state mandates and on-going programs devoted to science and technology issues. The Science Advisor has specific responsibility to supervise or participate in the following key areas: Advisory Council on Science and Technology (SAC) The SSA and SAC review significant advances in science and technology and advise and make recommendations to the Governor, state legislature and governmental agencies on the use of science and technology to foster scientific literacy and to strengthen the state’s economy, educational system and quality of life. The SSA serves as an ex-officio member of the SAC and provides staff support for all SAC activities and initiatives. Governor’s Medal for Science and Technology The State of Utah has chosen the Governor’s Medal as a symbol of recognition for those individuals who have provided distinguished service in the fields of science and technology. The Governor’s Medal recognizes outstanding achievement in the following areas: academia, industry, government and education. A special category recognizes individuals that may not meet all of the specific criteria but whose accomplishments merit recognition for this award. Utah Applied Science, Technology and Engineering Camps (ASTEC) The SSA supports a state-wide science camp initiative that provides opportunities for students to become involved in hands-on science, technology and engineering activities. The ASTEC program supported 16 camps during the summer of 2007, as well as the Salt Lake Valley Science Fair (SLVSF) and the Science Olympiad. Participants are represented from the entire state of Utah and ranged from the Olympiad and SLVSF to engineering-related activities such as building telescopes and robots. The Science Olympiad was one of the two camps that focused on bringing innovative, hands-on science education training to Caption public education science teachers. The intended outcome of the camp was to help science educators (15 participants in total) implement their own Science Olympiad competitions for their students. Dr. Sharon Ohlhorst, the director of the training camp intends upon following up with the teachers to determine if the camp will result in the implementation of Science Olympiad’s at the respective schools and what further support will be required for the teachers. Financial support for ASTEC was a result of both legislative funding ($100,000 in 2006; $150,000 in 2007), as well as private donations ($75,000 in 2007) and awards were given as a result of a competitive application process.
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Governor’s Office of Economic Development • Annual Report 2007
