History
STEM Teacher Association is an outreach of STEM Advancement Inc, a global corporation founded by Mr Ray Holt. After a 40 year career in engineering and computer science, Ray started teaching engineering and math in 2010 to low income, disadvantaged, rural students in Mississippi. He soon added robotics. He has taught over 3000 students from 2nd to 12th grades and over 500 STEM teachers, as well as coached several teams in engineering and robotics competitions placing 1st and 2nd in several State level competitions as well as a top-ranked rookie team in International robotics competition.
Ray has strong experience in computer design and manufacturing, computer science, and education. He has a BS degree in Electronic Engineering, an MS in Computer Science, and an MA in Education. He currently holds a license to teach secondary math in Mississippi. He is also a certified ROBOTC language instructor. The University of Mississippi engineering college has certified Ray to teach their Introduction to Engineering class to high school students for college credit. Ray also has over 20 years’ experience organizing and running a youth sports league that served a total of over 10,000 participants in three sports year-round.
Ray holds the distinction of being designer of the first microchip computer, the first electronic pin ball game, directed the engineering of an academy awarded special-effects product, produced a single-card computer used in the US Navy’s first two robots, as well as being a pioneer in the small computer publishing market. http://FirstMicroprocessor.com. He has held positions such as VP Engineering of a Honeywell division, Director of Information Systems and Customer Service, and Director of Engineering and Operations/Manufacturing. He has founded three non-profits and two profit businesses. He has authored / published over 14 technical papers and reports. “Robotics: Does it motivate rural students to go to college” is one of his recent papers since serving in rural Mississippi. His autobiography, The Accidental Engineer, on the World’s First Microprocessor is available here. Ray was featured in the global WIRED magazine, a College Board interview, and an EEJournal article. Two on-line sites has recognized his historical work, The Inventor of Things and the Information Technology (IT) Historical Honor Roll.
STEM Advancement Inc is engaged in creating and providing a common curriculum for enhanced outside-of-school training in the physical and life sciences for rural and inner-city students globally. This training is centered around hands-on engineering, science, and robotics courses. STEM Advancement Inc identifies a local ministry or educational entity that is already working with 2nd – 12th grade students and assists them in organizing for the STEM Advancement Inc curriculum. STEM Advancement Inc trains staff and teachers as well as teach courses as necessary. STEM Advancement Inc will also organize competitions, camps and conferences to encourage and motivate students and teachers in the STEM areas (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). We are a huge supporter of Industry-driven education. “Without industry involvement jobs will not be filled.”
“We are motivated by the needs of the children in the rural areas who do not have advantages others enjoy. It is our belief every child should have the opportunity to reach his or her God given potential in all areas of life.”
