On Friday, January 6, 2006, representatives of WEST met with Congressman Jim Matheson of Utah’s 2nd District.  The meeting was attended by the Congressman and an assistant, David Chapman, Holly Godsey, and Winston Seiler representing the University of Utah, Larry Madden of the Salt Lake City School District, and Ann Hanniball, Associate Director for Community Relations of the Utah Museum of Natural History.  The twenty-minute meeting served as an introduction of the National Science Foundation GK-12 program to the Congressman and established what is hoped to be a continuing relationship.

The conversation was an opportunity to inform Congressman Matheson, who also serves on the House Science Committee, of our current program from the perspective of the WEST partners as well as to express our goals in regard to Track 2 continuation – including expansion of WEST activities to the rest of the state.  Dave and Holly introduced the program’s partnerships, scope and goals.  Larry spoke to the benefits received by the students and teachers in the public schools.  Ann addressed the positive partnership between the University of Utah and the Utah Museum of Natural History through the Youth Teaching Youth program.  Winston provided insight into the benefits of the WEST fellowship to graduate students and of his experience in the classroom and with the after-school, Youth Teaching Youth program.

The meeting brought numerous questions from the Congressman and concluded with his statement of support of the program in its Track 2 application.  This meeting will be followed with similar conversations with Senator Orin Hatch, and Senator Bob Bennett.  It is hoped that these initial contacts will foster a continuing relationship between the congressional offices and the WEST program, and will lead to involvement of the Congressmen in WEST activities with the students.