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RESOLUTION (1) DIRECTING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR�S DESIGNEE TO COLLABORATE WITH PUBLIC, PRIVATE AND CHARTER SCHOOLS IN MIAMI-DADE COUNTY TO CREATE A PROGRAM TO EDUCATE GIRLS, YOUNG WOMEN AND FAMILIES ON THE IMPORTANCE AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF WOMEN IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS (STEM) AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO PURSUE CAREERS IN THESE AND OTHER FIELDS GENERALLY DOMINATED BY MEN AND TO COMMENCE A CAMPAIGN TO PROMOTE SUCH PROGRAM; (2) DIRECTING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR�S DESIGNEE TO COLLABORATE WITH LOCAL POST-SECONDARY INSTITUTIONS TO URGE SUPPORT FOR SUCH PROGRAM AND CAMPAIGN AND TO COLLABORATE WITH THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY YOUTH COMMISSION TO IMPLEMENT SUCH PROGRAM AND CAMPAIGN; (3) AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR�S DESIGNEE TO EXECUTE, AMEND, EXTEND, RENEW AND TERMINATE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENTS, MEMORANDA OF UNDERSTANDING AND OTHER AGREEMENTS, SUBJECT TO THE BOARD�S APPROVAL IF COUNTY FUNDING IS TO BE COMMITTED, AND APPLY FOR, ACCEPT AND EXPEND FUNDING TO EFFECTUATE THE PURPOSE OF THIS RESOLUTION, SUBJECT TO THE BOARD�S APPROVAL IF COUNTY FUNDING IS TO BE COMMITTED; AND (4) DIRECTING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR�S DESIGNEE TO PROVIDE A REPORT ON RESOURCES NECESSARY TO LAUNCH AND IMPLEMENT THE PROGRAM AND CAMPAIGN

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WHEREAS, a concerted effort to address the dearth of quality learning opportunities and the need to expose girls and young women to programs focused on the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (�STEM�) is necessary to improve the underrepresentation and/or low level of interest for girls and young women, as compared to boys and young men, in all areas related to STEM, including education, post-secondary degrees and careers; and
WHEREAS, STEM education integrates the concepts, methodologies and skills encompassed in science, technology, engineering and mathematics in the daily lives of students and utilizes innovative strategies and technology to engage students in the learning process; and
WHEREAS, a curriculum focused on educating students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics in a cohesive interdisciplinary learning paradigm that is based on real world application is at the core of STEM education; and
WHEREAS, as of the 2015-16 school year, there were 390 public schools and 125 charter schools in Miami-Dade County; and
WHEREAS, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, there were also over 340 private schools in Miami-Dade County for the 2013-14 school year; and
WHEREAS, STEM education advances student investigation and discovery, involves hands-on learning, stimulates interest in STEM disciplines and occupations and is another way to equip girls and young women with the requisite knowledge and skills to solve tough problems, gather and evaluate evidence and scrutinize information; and
WHEREAS, STEM occupations include computer software engineers, computer systems analysts, mathematicians, engineers, engineering technicians, physical scientists, social scientists, teachers, biochemists and biophysicists, among a myriad of others; and
WHEREAS, although women make up nearly half of the workforce in the United States, less than one quarter of women work in STEM occupations; and
WHEREAS, although women working in STEM occupations earn 33 percent more than comparable women in non-STEM occupations, women are less likely than their male counterparts to work in STEM occupations even after earning a degree in a STEM discipline; and
WHEREAS, data from the White House Council on Women and Girls provides that the wage gap between men and women in STEM related occupations is $0.92 for every $1 earned by men compared to $0.72 for other occupations; and
WHEREAS, according to the September 2015 Million Women Mentors State of the State Report, over the past 10 years, growth in STEM jobs in the United States has been three times the rate of non-STEM jobs and is projected to continue increasing at this pace over the next decade; and
WHEREAS, research shows that girls who are exposed to STEM through extracurricular activities and someone working in a STEM career tend to be more interested in STEM occupations; and
WHEREAS, the pursuit to increase the number of girls and young women interested in STEM professions can only be accomplished if young women pursue post-secondary studies and careers in STEM disciplines; and
WHEREAS, public, private and charter schools in Miami-Dade County are in the best position to provide girls and young women with hands on experiences and exposure to a STEM education program; and
WHEREAS, the Miami-Dade County Youth Commission is an advisory board comprised of 27 youth who advise this Board and the Mayor on matters affecting youth; and
WHEREAS, because the Miami-Dade County Youth Commission is composed of youth from public and private schools, it would be beneficial to include its members in implementing this effort; and
WHEREAS, supporting a STEM education program that would encourage and empower girls and young women to pursue STEM related educational and career opportunities and promote participation in clubs and extracurricular activities is a way to help address gender imbalance in attainment of post-secondary degrees in STEM disciplines, decrease the gender gap in STEM occupations, create a more diversified workplace and build a pathway to high paying and high skilled jobs for women; and
WHEREAS, a STEM education program would help to ensure today�s youth and tomorrow�s innovators, inventors, explorers, educators, researchers and leaders are equipped to solve the most pressing challenges facing our nation and the world; and
WHEREAS, exposing girls and young women to a STEM education program while they are in school, encouraging them to pursue careers in STEM occupations and providing examples of women working in these fields are approaches that would combat stereotypes and may result in gender parity in STEM education and occupations; and
WHEREAS, this Board supports a STEM education program for girls and young women; and
WHEREAS, this Board finds that an educational investment that will benefit all residents of Miami-Dade County regardless of their sex is critical to our economic and national security and will contribute to the United States retaining its position as a global leader,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board:
Section 1. Incorporates the recitals above in this resolution.
Section 2. Directs the County Mayor or County Mayor�s designee to collaborate with public, private and charter schools in Miami-Dade County to create a program to educate girls, young women and families on the importance and contributions of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics and encourage them to pursue careers in these and other fields generally dominated by men and to commence a campaign to promote such program.
Section 3. Directs the County Mayor or County Mayor�s designee to collaborate with local post-secondary institutions to urge support for the STEM education program and campaign.
Section 4. Directs the County Mayor or County Mayor�s designee to collaborate with the Miami-Dade County Youth Commission to implement the STEM education program and campaign and to encourage girls and young women to join clubs and other extracurricular activities focused on STEM and other generally male dominated fields.
Section 5. Authorizes the County Mayor or County Mayor�s designee to execute interlocal agreements, memoranda of understanding and other required agreements and documents to effectuate the purposes of this resolution, subject to approvals by the Board, if such agreements commit funding from Miami-Dade County. This Board further authorizes the County Mayor or County Mayor�s designee to exercise amendments, extensions, renewals, termination, waiver, and other provisions set forth in such agreements and documents necessary to plan and develop the STEM education program and campaign, following approval for legal form and sufficiency by the Miami-Dade County Attorney�s Office and subject to subsequent approvals by the Board, if such agreements commit funding from Miami-Dade County.
Section 6. This Board authorizes the County Mayor or County Mayor�s designee to apply for and accept grant funding that may become available for the STEM education program and campaign, as set forth in this resolution, subject to compliance with Section 5 of this resolution.
Section 7. Directs the County Mayor or County Mayor�s designee to research and prepare a report on the resources necessary to launch and implement the STEM education program and campaign. The County Mayor or County Mayor�s designee shall provide the report to this Board within 60 days of the effective date of this resolution and shall place the completed report on an agenda of the Board pursuant to Ordinance No. 14-65.