ACR 25, as introduced, Obernolte. Pi Day.
This measure would proclaim March 14, 2015, as Pi Day. The measure would also encourage the organization of appropriate activities that celebrate the significance of Pi, urge the formation of partnerships that provide extended exposure to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning opportunities, and support the creation of cross-sector STEM networks linking partners from various specified entities to address regional needs in STEM education through information and resource sharing.
Fiscal committee: yes.
P1 1WHEREAS, The Greek letter Pi is the symbol for the ratio of
2a circle’s circumference to its diameter, which is a universal
3constant with applications throughout all science, technology,
4engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines; and
5WHEREAS, The value of Pi was approximated by the Greek
6mathematician Archimedes around 250 BC as 22/7, but the actual
7number is “irrational,” and continues infinitely without pattern or
8repetition; and
9WHEREAS, The value of Pi has been calculated to over one
10trillion digits, but only 39 digits are sufficient to calculate the
11circumference of the known universe; and
P2 1WHEREAS, Pi Day was founded at the Exploratorium in San
2Francisco 27 years ago, and is celebrated annually on March 14th
3to correspond with the first three digits of Pi (i.e. 3.14); and
4WHEREAS, Pi Day will hold special significance in 2015 when,
5at 9:26:53 a.m. and p.m., the date and time align with the first 10
6digits of Pi (i.e. 3.141592653) for the only time this century; and
7WHEREAS, According to a 2013 Brookings Institution study,
820 percent of all jobs in the United States require specialized
9knowledge in a STEM field; and
10WHEREAS, The United States Department of Commerce reports
11that growth in STEM jobs over the past 10 years was three times
12greater than that of non-STEM jobs; and
13WHEREAS, According to the Organization for Economic
14Cooperation and Development (OECD), American students at age
1515 are ranked 26th out of the 34 OECD countries in math, and 21st
16in science; and
17WHEREAS, Women, African Americans, and Latinos are
18underrepresented in STEM occupations relative to their share of
19the workforce; and
20WHEREAS, Research demonstrates that participation in STEM
21fields increases when students are engaged through the hands-on
22application of science and mathematics to solve real-world
23problems; and
24WHEREAS, A May 2014 report issued by the Superintendent
25of Public Instruction’s STEM task force concluded that informal
26learning opportunities coupled with a broad array of business,
27philanthropic, and community STEM partnerships can play a
28critical role in expanding interest, opportunities, and participation
29in STEM fields; now, therefore, be it
30Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
31thereof concurring, That the Legislature proclaims March 14,
322015, as Pi Day; and be it further
33Resolved, That the Legislature does all of the following:
34(a) Encourages educational institutions, museums, libraries,
35parks, businesses, and community-based groups to organize
36appropriate activities that celebrate the significance of Pi, and
37engage students of all ages in the study of science and mathematics.
38(b) Urges the formation of business, philanthropic, and
39community partnerships that provide extended exposure to STEM
40learning opportunities.
P3 1(c) Supports the creation of cross-sector STEM networks linking
2partners from government, business, community organizations,
3and nonprofits to address regional needs in STEM education
4through information and resource sharing; and be it
further
5Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies
6of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
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