SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) – Faculty members at Missouri State University are reacting to losing out on a request of $600,000 in funding from the state which could have an impact on more rural students.
The funds were intended to host a statewide science fair for junior high and high school students according Dr. Tammy Jahnke, dean of the College of Natural and Applied Sciences at MSU. Now it won’t be happening without the funding she said.
“This was a request by an outside group to have a statewide science fair which we’ve never had in this state, to help encourage young people to think about careers in science, math and engineering,” said Dr. Jahnke.
This week Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe vetoed more than 200-line items, totaling nearly $300 million in general revenue including this request.
Dr. Jahnke shared their goal at the university is to support Missouri’s workforce and this funding would have exposed more students to possible careers.
“We are huge advocates at Missouri State University to work with K-12 to encourage them to think about careers in science, math and engineering because our workforce needs it, and so any time we can be part of that and even if it’s a statewide project we are more than happy to help to facilitate something like that because it only makes our state better,” said Dr. Tammy Jahnke.
Dr. Jahnke said the funding for science fairs across the state would have made sure students in rural communities have the same chances and access as students in larger cities.
She added regional science fairs will still happen as planned, but the program will reach fewer students than was possible.
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