Area doctor among STEM award winners

As reported by the Worcester Telegram & Gazette

October 19, 2011 – Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Murray kicked off the state’s eighth annual Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Summit yesterday morning in Newton and awarded the inaugural Lt. Governor’s Award for Excellence in STEM to four recipients, including Central Massachusetts resident Dr. John Schneeweis.

Dr. Schneeweis, a family physician who graduated from the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester, was recognized for helping Wachusett Regional High School students, including his own children, with science projects.

The other award winners were Banafsheh Salama, chairman of the science department of Lynn Vocational Technical Institute; Eloise Stevens, executive director of Berkshire County Head Start; and a veteran from Springfield.

Mr. Murray also launched the WOW Initiative, a public awareness campaign designed to “wow” students into pursuing STEM careers. A series of videos featuring everyone from a sports statistician to an ocean researcher will be distributed to schools.

The annual summit brings government, academic, business and community leaders together to enhance future STEM opportunities in the state.