History of the Project

The Governor’s Blue Ribbon Panel in 2006 and the PK-16 Advisory Committees in 2006 assessed STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) education in the state, and in light of the recommendations made by those committees, Rhode Island College (RIC) developed a proposal to develop a new STEM Center as a hub where there would be coordination of efforts to follow those recommendations; new strategies and initiatives would be developed and implemented to improve STEM education in the state.  The proposal led to the creation of the Center for Excellence STEM Education (RI STEM Center) and an allocation of $4.5 million in capital funds from the state via certificates of participation (COPS funds).  Phase I of the project was funded by $1.6 million from COPS funds, $228 thousand from the Champlin Foundations, and $1.075 million from the Rhode Island College Asset Protection funds. Phase II includes classrooms in both the Feinstein School of Education and Human Development, and content departments.  The overall investment is to create e-classroom learning environments at RIC and improving delivery of undergraduate STEM education and professional development for in-service STEM educators.  The development of the STEM Center is part of the college strategic plan as it holds the promise of improving education within RIC and throughout the state.

The STEM Center Project at Rhode Island College