Burgum, Baesler, Riley highlight innovative education at Technology Showcase

Gov. Doug Burgum, State Superintendent Kirsten Baesler and Chief Information Officer Shawn Riley participated in the K-12 Education Technology Showcase on Wednesday in the Capitol’s Memorial Hall. The showcase is an opportunity for schools from around the state to highlight best practices and innovative approaches to technology in K-12 education. Ten schools were selected to participate based on topic and best practices.

“By encouraging students to ask good questions, be courageously curious and explore technology, we will also help them create the next generation of devices, applications and software to transform our world,” said Burgum. “We applaud the teachers and administrators who are inspiring a love of learning in our students and helping North Dakota be a leader in innovative education.”

Four students and a teacher were also recognized as National Center for Women & IT (NCWIT) Aspirations in Computing award recipients. NCWIT, a partner in the state’s K-20W Initiative, provides girls and women with ongoing engagement, visibility, and encouragement for their computing-related interests and achievements.

Governor, First Lady host Giving Hearts Day kickoff celebration

On Thursday, Gov. Burgum and First Lady Kathryn Burgum helped celebrate Giving Hearts Day, a 24-hour period dedicated to raising money for charities across North Dakota and western Minnesota.

“When there is a need in our communities, our nonprofit organizations, charities and churches go out and fill that need," First Lady Burgum said.

More than 30,000 people across the region raised nearly $16.3 million for approximately 450 different charities and nonprofit organizations.

“As we talk about this being the most generous region in the world, we also come from the most generous nation in the world,” Gov. Burgum said. "Americans give more of their income to charitable organizations than any other country in the world."

The Dakota Medical Foundation, Impact Institute and Alex Stern Family Foundation partner to host Giving Hearts Day. Since the event began in 2008, more than $71 million has been raised for local causes.

In call with Burgum, Acting Interior Secretary conveys support for Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum

During a phone call Friday with Gov. Burgum, Acting U.S. Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt expressed his support for the proposed Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum in Medora. Bernhardt was nominated earlier this month by President Donald Trump to become permanent Secretary of the Interior. The National Park Service is among the agencies and bureaus overseen by the Department of the Interior.

Burgum has proposed dedicating $50 million in Legacy Fund earnings as an endowment to support a Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum as a major tourist attraction and educational center at the entrance to Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota’s top tourist attraction. Before being released, the $50 million would have to be matched by $100 million from private donors and other sources.

“I actually think it could be a fantastic project for the state, and we at the Department of Interior will continue to work closely with the State of North Dakota,” Bernhardt told the governor.

The project has support from the Roosevelt family, North Dakota’s congressional delegation, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, the Boone & Crockett Club, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Walton Foundation, the Medora City Council, Dickinson State University President Tom Mitzel and the National Park Foundation, among others.

“This will be an educational, interactive, state-of-the-art facility designed to inspire our youth, our citizens and our visitors while also diversifying our economy by boosting tourism, and we are deeply grateful for Acting Secretary Bernhardt’s support. We urge the Senate to swiftly confirm his nomination,” Burgum said.

The governor and secretary also discussed issues important to North Dakota that fall within Interior’s regulatory scope, including tribal and energy issues.

Governor receives Boy Scouts' Annual Report to the State

Gov. Burgum attended his third Boy Scouts' Annual Report to the State this week. According to the report, 9,948 young people were registered in programs offered by the Northern Lights Council at the end of 2018.

Burgum thanked the Scouts and program volunteers, recognizing the thousands of service hours they provide to the state.

"For 109 years, Scouting has instilled in young people the values and knowledge they will need to become tomorrow’s leaders," Burgum said. "Our youth make up only 25 percent of our population, but 100 percent of our future. Scouting lays a strong foundation for that future."

Some highlights from the 2018 report include:

• A total of 133 Scouts earned the rank of Eagle Scout. These Eagle Scouts collectively provided over 18,450 hours of service and leadership.
• 76,995 community service hours were reported by Scout units, providing a total benefit of 1.9 million dollars to their communities.
• Scouts collected over 80,000 pounds of food in the Scouting for Food Drive.
• Girls were invited to join Cub Scouts for the first time, with 388 elementary-aged girls across North Dakota joining Cub Scouts.