HI SR86

Requests a report from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism on the economic value of expanded workforce development capacity in emerging industries including defense, astronomy, engineering, aquaculture, biotech, and digital media.

Requires written reports from five entities (University of Hawaii College of Engineering, Department of Education, Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, Robotics Organizing Committee, and Economic Development Alliance of Hawaii Inc.) to be submitted no later than twenty days before the 2011 Regular Legislative Session.

Reports must address the economic value of expanded workforce development capacity and the status of STEM initiatives including Research Experiences for Teachers–Middle School, Project Environmental and Spatial Technology, Hi-EST, FIRST academies, and robotics programs in Hawaii schools.

Requests recommendations from reporting entities on long-term expansion and funding requirements for STEM and robotics initiatives.

References prior legislative actions (Act 111 and Act 271, Session Laws of Hawaii 2007) that expanded STEM programs and robotics initiatives, which exceeded initial targets to grow from 48 to 84 school programs by 2008-2010.