About JEDC
Located in Juneau, Alaska, the Juneau Economic Development Council (JEDC) has a dual mission: to improve the business climate in Southeast Alaska through economic development services and to develop the next generation workforce for all of Alaska through educational programing.
The overall goal of JEDC’s education program is to stimulate students’ interest and capabilities in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields, thereby increasing the pool of talented and skilled students who pursue careers in these areas. Our work is organized around three strategies:
- facilitate professional development of teachers;
- offer STEM enrichment activities to students; and,
- participate in advocacy and outreach to build public awareness and support.
Our work is guided by a commitment to hands-on, engaged learning that links students to real world opportunities and challenges in an environment of high expectations and discovery. JEDC is proud to be the FIRST Operational Partner for Alaska. This means we manage and coordinate the FIRST LEGO League and FIRST Tech Challenge programs for Alaska.
STEM Education and Economic Development:
Issues related to the STEM education of 21st century youth have taken on a new sense of urgency. The National Academy of Science report, “Rising Above the Gathering Storm,” issued a call to action stating that the vitality of the United States, which is due in large part to the productivity of well-trained people and the steady stream of scientific and technical innovations they produce, is endangered. This report also stated that without high quality knowledge-intensive jobs and the innovative enterprises that lead to discovery and new technology, our economy will suffer and our people risk facing a lower standard of living. JEDC recognizes that science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education are key components of developing a healthy economy for our state.
To learn more about the Juneau Economic Development Council, please visit JEDC.org.