Executive Vice President and Provost Elizabeth Hoffman feels recognizing students in K-12 schools interested in “stem” fields should be a top priority for the improvement of research environments at ISU.

“We need a scientifically literate workforce to continue our research initiatives,” Hoffman said. “Kids with spatial abilities are completely lost by our school systems, and they could represent the next generation of research innovators at the higher-education level.”

During Friday’s Faculty Spring Conference at the Ames Gateway and Conference Center, she suggested changes that could be made to increase teachers’ effectiveness in recognizing the bright, talented students who could be successful in science, math and engineering.

“We need vertical alignment at the level of the students – starting with those in elementary schools – to provide the building blocks in the areas of science and math and horizontal alignment among the educators who can help recognize kids with special abilities in those areas,” Hoffman said.

Another area to improve in to help secure the future of research, Hoffman said, is increasing the level of pay for teachers of science and math.

“We need to pay science and math teachers something equivalent to the status of their expertise,” Hoffman said. “Right now, the pay for an individual with an engineering degree going into education starts at $26,500. There obviously is a need for change.”

The conference events culminated with an address by ISU President Gregory Geoffroy. Geoffroy pointed out the importance of research to the institution.

“We need to keep research constantly in front of us and increase the expectations of the units, colleges, departments and faculty members at ISU,” Geoffroy said. “It starts with the president and provost setting the standard of creativity and dedication and filters to the deans, department chairs, and senior faculty members who communicate strong leadership initiatives to the faculty.”

With regard to specific goals for ISU research efforts, Geoffroy focused on three main issues: The quality of the world’s food supply, energy needs, and climate change.

“Our challenge is to provide safe, nutritious food to feed the people of the world and find better ways to meet the world’s energy needs without harming the environment,” Geoffroy said. “Climate change and global warming is real and happening, and we must adjust to the change and minimize its impact.”

Geoffroy also discussed funding, an issue of concern to the faculty because of the struggling economy. Geoffroy said Iowa State depends too heavily on congressionally directed funding.

“Congress has just decided to make a $1.24-billion-dollar reduction in funding to research and teaching. That’s a 75 percent cut in the Farm Bill,” he said.

Geoffroy underlined the importance of informing the public of the need for other sources of funding.

“Ultimately, we need to be aware of the issues facing our world and aggressive in informing the public of the need for research funding,” Geoffroy said.

The conference ended with a reception and a jazz trio performance.

Clark Ford, associate professor in food science and human nutrition, reflected on the event as the jazz music livened up the atmosphere.

“I felt the conference went very well and all the speakers did a wonderful job,” Ford said. “The message of collaboration depicted by the conference presenters and poster session facilitated the strength of ISU.”