PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Zina McGowan-Thomas, Public Information Officer, 301-475-5511, ext. 193

DR. MARTIRANO APPOINTED TO GOVERNOR’S STEM TASK FORCE

LEONARDTOWN , MD – Dr. Michael J. Martirano, superintendent of schools, has been appointed by Governor Martin O’Malley to serve on the Governor’s P-20 Leadership Council of Maryland Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Task Force.

The STEM Task Force is one of several leadership committees that make up the Governor’s P-20 Leadership Council of Maryland.  The Leadership Council is critical to the creation of a community of learning that strives for the highest levels of excellence throughout all levels of education and the workplace in the State of Maryland .

Dr. Martirano, a strong advocate for STEM education, implemented the STEM Academies in St. Mary’s County Public Schools during the 2007-2008 school year.  STEM Academies offer students with advanced skills and interests in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics a specialized program with rigorous and unique instruction in state-of-the-art classrooms, research laboratories, and e-learning labs. STEM Academies currently exist at Lexington Park Elementary School, Spring Ridge Middle School, and Great Mills High School , but serve public school students throughout St. Mary’s County.

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