Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/297333
06 florida.HIGH.TECH 2014 CORRIDOR BRIEFS stemCONNECT: Connecting Classrooms with STEM Experts In today's world, teachers need more than textbooks to mo- tivate their students into pursuing the STEM subjects of sci- ence, technology, engineering and math. To compete with the technology gadgets and screens outside of the class- room, teachers are increasingly turning to online tools and interactive experiences to supplement their lessons. A new program by the Florida High Tech Corridor Council (FHTCC) aims to help teachers share the latest and most interesting tech concepts with their students, through virtual sessions taught by engaging expert speak- ers in STEM fields. stemCONNECT links K-12 classrooms with industry or academic experts from around the region with just the touch of a button. The sessions are conducted entirely online using video conferencing software and can span a wide range of STEM topics, from the possibility of life on Mars, how various chemical reactions can create alternative forms of energy, the physics of making video games, the math of medicine or nearly anything in between. This free program allows stu- dents to ask questions and interact with the speaker from his or her office, lecture hall or laboratory anywhere in the Florida High Tech Corridor. FHTCC launched a new website for stemCONNECT (www.flstemconnect.com), which allows teachers to create a classroom profile of their upcoming curriculum and request speakers that fit the subject matter. Volunteers in turn can complete profiles outlining their areas of expertise and avail- abilities for guest lecturing in classrooms virtually. The stemCONNECT program supports FHTCC's work with Corridor universities – the University of Central Florida, the University of South Florida and the University of Florida – state and community colleges, and private-sector compa- nies to help prepare the emerging workforce for tomorrow's high tech jobs. For more information, visit flstemconnect.com. Corridor Resources that Help Entrepreneurs Thrive The Florida High Tech Corridor Council recognizes entrepre- neurial support as an important element to a thriving inno- vation economy. As such, FHTCC supports entrepreneurs through all stages of creating a company with its entrepre- neurial initiative, the Florida Virtual Entrepreneur Center (FLVEC) and through support of GrowFL. Starting a business can be difficult, but FLVEC puts ev- erything an entrepreneur needs to start, grow or relocate a business at his or her fingertips – literally. FLVEC is a free online library of local, state and national commercial and governmental resources, including law, accounting, IT and communications, plus business permitting, regulation, tax incentives and funding sources. Businesses that cater to entrepreneurs can also register to share company ser- vices at no cost. More than 25,000 visitors per month from across the nation and globe find flvec.com an easy-to-use website to make the necessary connections