Kansas City, Mo. (June 11, 2012):  KC STEM Alliance is pleased to announce its recent hire of Martha McCabe, who will join the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education-to-workforce non-profit collaborative as Manager of STEM Initiatives.  McCabe will lead the organization’s efforts to build and increase KC STEM Alliance’s network of educators, business affiliates and organizations to connect area resources to support K-12 STEM education initiatives to advance STEM workforce progress and economic development in our community.

“The overall STEM industry in Greater Kansas City has an ever-increasing demand for workforce-ready employees," said McCabe. "Through my work at KC STEM Alliance, I will have the unique opportunity to help meet that workforce demand by linking the organization’s programs, resources and partners to the students in our community. We simply want provide our region’s diverse student base with more K-12 STEM education experiences, so they are better positioned to make informed decisions for higher education and future career paths in STEM related fields."

McCabe’s proven background in STEM education and workforce initiatives through her recent work as Executive Director of Scenic Rivers Area Health Education Center (AHEC), located in Cashton, Wisconsin will help ensure that KC STEM Alliance continues to fulfill its mission to inspire interest in STEM careers and generate a robust force of related professionals for our community.

At AHEC Martha was responsible for collaborative and innovative solutions for the development of a diverse and sustainable healthcare workforce.  In this role she worked with school districts, post-secondary institutions, community organizations and industry to help prepare more students to be on a successful health care career path.   
Prior to her work in Wisconsin, McCabe worked at Trinity Lutheran Hospital in Kansas City, Mo. for 10 years.  McCabe holds both a Master of Science and Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology/Kinesiology from the University of Kansas.

ABOUT KC STEM ALLIANCE
The KC STEM Alliance is a collaborative network of educators, business partners and organizations that inspires interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math careers to generate a robust force of related professionals for our community. The non-profit organization supports local K‐12 STEM education and programs, and oversees FIRST programs for the Greater Kansas City region. The KC STEM Alliance is pleased to partner with affiliate organizations, like Project Lead the Way (PLTW) and FIRST robotics, who are making a significant difference in the Kansas City STEM community and laying the foundation for student success. These partnerships benefit students and organizations by connecting resources, sharing information and streamlining communications. KC STEM Alliance was created in 2011 through a generous $3.2 million gift from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. For more information, visit kcstem.org.

ABOUT PROJECT LEAD THE WAY (PLTW)
Project Lead The Way (PLTW) is the leading provider of rigorous and innovative STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education curricular programs used in schools. As a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, PLTW exists to prepare students for the global economy through its world-class curriculum, high-quality professional development, and an engaged network of educators, students, universities and professionals. PLTW's comprehensive curriculum has been collaboratively designed by PLTW teachers, university educators, engineering and biomedical professionals, and school administrators to promote critical thinking, creativity, innovation and real-world problem solving skills in students. The hands-on, project-based program engages students on multiple levels, exposes them to areas of study that they typically do not pursue, and provides them with a foundation and proven path to college and career success. More than 4,700 schools in all 50 states and the District of Columbia are currently offering PLTW courses to their students. For more information, visit www.pltw.org.