Sen. Bob Nonini, R-Coeur d’Alene, says the next STEM Caucus meeting on Feb. 4 will feature Ohio Sen. Chris Widener, R-Springfield, president pro-tem of the Ohio Senate and the sponsor of legislation there that created the Global Impact STEM Academy in Springfield, Ohio. The school, which has 260 students and is in its third year of operation, hosted a visit from Idaho lawmakers and officials including Nonini in December; it focuses on both agriculture and STEM, or science, technology, engineering and math.

The STEM Caucus is a group of lawmakers from both houses formed by Nonini and House Education Chairman Reed DeMordaunt, R-Eagle; it meets periodically to hear speakers on STEM-related topics. Nonini said Idaho could benefit from the Ohio model as a possible project for the state’s new STEM Action Center.