August 26, 2022 (Saint Paul, MN) Recognizing the critical need for strong STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education in the state of Minnesota, Governor Tim Walz has proclaimed Thursday, August 25, 2022, STEM Day at the Minnesota State Fair. Minnesota IT Services (MNIT) Commissioner, Tarek Tomes, attended the event to present the proclamation on behalf of Governor Walz.

"Creating an interest in STEM education opens up so many opportunities for students to innovate, and to be inspired by their curiosity and the world around them. I thank Governor Tim Walz for supporting STEM Day at the Minnesota State Fair and the continued work on education and technology initiatives in Minnesota."

Tarek Tomes, MNIT Commissioner, State of Minnesota CIO

STEM Day at the Minnesota State Fair is a chance for students, parents, and educators to celebrate and freely participate in collaborative and engaging activities involving STEM. SciMathMN, in collaboration with its many partner organizations, is the driving force behind the STEM Day at the Fair effort. By approaching STEM learning in this fun and interactive way, STEM Day at the Fair aims to help students make the critical connection between the skills they learn in the classroom and future career opportunities.

"SciMathMN appreciates the leadership of Governor Walz and Commissioner Tomes in highlighting the value of engaging STEM education opportunities for Minnesota youth. Minnesota students can help build a Minnesota where all can thrive through innovative educational opportunities,” said Jim Davnie, Executive Director, SciMathMN. “STEM is everywhere as the opportunities for young people to follow their interests and career dreams."

Jim Davnie, Executive Director, SciMathMN

The State of Minnesota is the largest employer in Minnesota, employing over 50,000 employees in state agencies, boards, commissions, colleges, and universities. STEM career opportunities range from nursing and medicine to engineering, to monitoring the quality of Minnesota lakes and streams, to web developing and coding. MNIT held a booth during STEM Day at the Fair where MNIT staff educated families about safe passwords and encouraged kids to learn the basics of coding.

Every organization that participated in STEM Day at the Fair gave students and fairgoers of all ages a chance to engage in a wide range of displays, games, and crafts involving robotics, engineering, computer coding, geography sciences, and animals. For more information, visit scimathmn.org.

Read /mnit/assets/08.25.22%20STEM%20Day%20at%20the%20Minnesota%20State%20Fair_tcm38-538900.pdfGovernor Walz’s “STEM Day at the Minnesota State Fair” proclamation online (PDF).

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About Minnesota IT Services

Minnesota IT Services, led by the state’s Chief Information Officer, is the Information Technology agency for Minnesota’s executive branch, providing enterprise and local IT services to over 70 agencies, boards, and commissions. MNIT employs more than 2,300 people. Together, we build, maintain, and secure the State’s IT infrastructure, applications, projects, and services. MNIT sets IT strategy, direction, policies and standards for enterprise IT leadership and planning. We also serve Minnesotans by connecting all 87 counties, 300 cities, and 200 public higher education campuses across the state on the MNET network. Through public-private partnerships, our team proactively protects the state’s information systems and the private data of 5.7 million Minnesotans.