UCR Newsroom

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (www.ucr.edu) – UC Riverside’s ALPHA Center is among the local organizations sponsoring the Science and Technology Education Partnership's (STEP) tenth annual conference (STEP 10) at the Riverside Convention Center Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 14-15, 2009.

Keynote speaker at the conference luncheon on Thursday, Oct. 15, with be astronaut Buzz Aldrin, a member of the historic team that made the first moon landing 40 years ago. Also attending the luncheon will be UCR Chancellor Timothy P. White.

“The ALPHA Center is excited to again be an integral part of STEP 10, which mirrors the mission of UCR to serve as a partner and resource for the local community,” said Pamela Clute, UCR’s assistant vice provost for academic partnerships and executive director of the ALPHA Center. “We’re very proud to join in celebrating STEP’s 10 years of sharing the joy of discovery through science, technology, engineering and mathematics with more than 25,000 students and 2,000 teachers from the region.”

The conference provides hands-on training for K-12 teachers and students. The student portion of the event will include the Oh! Zone and the Discovery Zone, which will feature hands-on science experiments, interactive technology exhibits, an exciting science show and opportunities to visit one-on-one with industry professionals.

Clute will facilitate an afternoon session on teaching mathematics and science for teachers of grades four through nine on Wednesday, Oct. 14. “All young people should be well versed in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, regardless of what educational or career path they pursue.” Clute said. “Our nation's capacity to innovate for economic growth and the ability of workers to thrive in a global economy depends on a strong and broad foundation in these fields.”

STEP was founded by its honorary chairman, Rep. Ken Calvert, who represents Riverside and communities that make up the 44th congressional district.

The University of California, Riverside (www.ucr.edu) is a doctoral research university, a living laboratory for groundbreaking exploration of issues critical to Inland Southern California, the state and communities around the world. Reflecting California's diverse culture, UCR's enrollment of about 18,000 is expected to grow to 21,000 students by 2020. The campus is planning a medical school and has reached the heart of the Coachella Valley by way of the UCR Palm Desert Graduate Center. The campus has an annual statewide economic impact of more than $1 billion.

A broadcast studio with fiber cable to the AT&T Hollywood hub is available for live or taped interviews. To learn more, call (951) UCR-NEWS.