March 26-28, 2012 – The Sixth NOAA Education and Science Forum hosted by the Environmental Cooperative Science Center (ECSC) at Florida A&M University.
The Sixth Biennial Education and Science Forum is jointly sponsored by the host Institution, Florida A&M University (FAMU) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) – Educational Partnership Program (EPP). The theme of the Forum is
"Developing STEM Talent: Increasing Innovation and National Competiveness" Florida A&M University is the official host of the Forum. The focus of the Forum will be on expanding academic training in NOAA-mission science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines, through partnership activities. The Forum will highlight future career opportunities for STEM graduates, in the public, private and academic sectors. This Forum is a venue to exchange results of collaborative research between NOAA and the academic community and discuss new engagement opportunities with NOAA scientists, academia, private and public sectors.
The Educational Partnership Program has sponsored biennial conferences that draw representatives from government, research centers, academia and the private sector who are engaged in activities supporting NOAA's mission. Five of these Education and Science Forums have been held to date, with the location rotated among the Cooperative Science Centers:
- Forum 1 - 2002: The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (Host)
- Forum 2 - 2003: NOAA (Silver Spring) - Howard University (Host)
- Forum 3 - 2004: The City College of The City University of New York (Host)
- Forum 4 - 2006: Florida A&M University (Host)
- Forum 5 - 2009: Howard University (Host)
Each forum has grown successively larger; reaching nearly 500 participants at the 2009 forum, with over 120 posters and 120 oral presentations. The Forums highlight the successes of the partnership between NOAA and the Minority Serving Institution community in promoting a diverse workforce for NOAA's mission.
