SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 13

52nd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2015

INTRODUCED BY

Gay G. Kernan

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING RECOGNITION, SUPPORT AND PROMOTION OF ROBOTICS EDUCATION AND COMPETITION IN NEW MEXICO AND REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR TO PROCLAIM THE FIRST WEEKEND IN MAY AS "NEW MEXICO ROBOTICS EDUCATION AND COMPETITION WEEKEND".

     WHEREAS, New Mexico's national laboratories, universities, industries and public and private schools actively design, promote and engage students and employees in robot projects and research; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico secondary students in grades three through twelve are currently eligible to participate in and learn science, technology, engineering and mathematics through robot educational programs and competitions; and

     WHEREAS, many New Mexico secondary and post-secondary schools are implementing robotics curricula for students in their daily school programs; and

     WHEREAS, numerous New Mexico-based robot competitions are available to all New Mexico students throughout the academic year; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico-based robotic competitions successfully draw international students to compete annually with New Mexico's students; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico students are participating in global robot education and competition programs based in other countries, both virtually and physically; and

     WHEREAS, international students are participating with New Mexico students in robotic camps here in the state and international educators are teaming up annually with New Mexico educators in New Mexico-based robotic academics; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico students and educators are collaborating and competing with international students and educators to develop important global communication skills; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico industry in the twenty-first century will require a labor force trained in science, technology, engineering and math-based skills; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico students participating in robotics education and competitions today will develop the skills needed to fill the labor demands of tomorrow; and

     WHEREAS, as an industry that does not depend on New Mexico's limited water resources, robotics provides an ideal opportunity for economic development since the only limitation in robotics is one's imagination; 

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the importance of robotics education and competitions be recognized as a keystone to engage the interest of all students and educators in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math throughout New Mexico; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the higher education department be requested to collaborate with New Mexico secondary schools to support robotics education and competitions; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the tourism department be encouraged to promote New Mexico as a destination "where the world comes to play with robots"; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the economic development department be encouraged to promote New Mexico robotics education and competitions to increase participation of national and international companies and to entice participants to come to New Mexico; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the governor be requested to proclaim annually the first weekend in May as "New Mexico Robotics Education and Competition Weekend"; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the governor, the secretary of higher education, the secretary of tourism, the secretary of economic development and the co-chairs of the New Mexico legislative council.

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