ACR 25, as amended, 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.
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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
P2 1WHEREAS, The value of Pi has been calculated to over one
2trillion digits, but only 39 digits are sufficient to calculate the
3circumference of the known universe; and
4WHEREAS, Pi Day was founded at the Exploratorium in San
5Francisco 27 years ago, and is celebrated annually on March 14th
6to correspond with the first three digits of Pi (i.e. 3.14); and
7WHEREAS, Pi Day will hold special significance in 2015 when,
8at 9:26:53 a.m. and p.m., the date and time align with the first 10
9digits of Pi (i.e. 3.141592653) for the only time this century; and
10WHEREAS, According to a 2013 Brookings Institution study,
1120 percent of all jobs in the United States require specialized
12knowledge in a STEM field; and
13WHEREAS, The United States Department of Commerce reports
14that growth in STEM jobs over the past 10 years was three times
15greater than that of non-STEM jobs; and
16WHEREAS, According to the Organization for Economic
17Cooperation and Development (OECD), Americanbegin delete studentsend deletebegin insert pupilsend insert
18 at age 15 are ranked 26th out of the 34 OECD countries in math,
19and 21st in science; and
20WHEREAS, Women, African Americans, and Latinos are
21underrepresented in STEM occupations relative to their share of
22the workforce; and
23WHEREAS, Research demonstrates that participation in STEM
24fields increases whenbegin delete studentsend deletebegin insert pupilsend insert are engaged through the
25hands-on application of science and mathematics to solve
26real-world problems; and
27WHEREAS, A May 2014 report issued by the Superintendent
28of Public Instruction’s STEM task force concluded that informal
29learning opportunities coupled with a broad array of business,
30philanthropic, and community STEM partnerships can play a
31critical role in expanding interest, opportunities, and participation
32in STEM fields; now, therefore, be it
33Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
34thereof concurring, That the Legislature proclaims March 14,
352015, as Pi Day; and be it further
36Resolved, That the Legislature does all of the following:
37(a) Encouragesbegin delete educational institutions,end deletebegin insert educators,end insert museums,
38libraries, parks, businesses, and community-based groups to
39organize appropriate activities that celebrate the significance of
P3 1Pi, and engage students of all ages in the study of science and
2mathematics.
3(b) Urges the formation of business, philanthropic, and
4community partnerships that provide extended exposure to STEM
5learning opportunities.
6(c) Supports the creation of cross-sector STEM networks linking
7partners from government, business, community organizations,
8and nonprofits to address regional needs in STEM education
9through information and resource sharing; and be it further
10Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies
11of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
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