STEM Industry Day Connects Students to Real-World Careers

Maui Economic Development Board will sponsor a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) industry day to show “real-world” careers for Maui’s high school students. Courtesy photo.

By Sonia Isotov

Science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) students from high schools across Maui County will be given a peek into the real-world technology industry during STEMworks Industry Day, March 12, at the Maui Research & Technology Park.

“For a lot of the students, this will be their first time visiting the Tech Park and many are going to be pleasantly surprised at the possibility of working their dream job in their own backyard,” said Isla Young, a program director Maui Economic Development Board’s Women in Technology (WIT) project, in a press announcement today.

“Industry Day provides an important link between the classroom and a wide range of STEM career paths.”

Local industry representatives will be on-hand to give STEM students a guided tour of their high tech companies and talk about the creative career opportunities available on Maui.

Students will be able to see first-hand how the software programs they have been using in their STEMworks labs apply to the “real” world. Programs range from engineering design to computer-aided design (CAD), geographic information systems (GIS) to 3D imaging, and global positioning systems to webpage graphics.

“By giving students a glimpse of the inside process, we can help them connect the dots to corresponding careers in the STEM industry,” said Isla Young, a program director Maui Economic Development Board’s Women in Technology (WIT) project, in a press announcement today.

“They will also have a chance to talk directly with professionals about how they could prepare academically.”

Part of the day’s agenda will include a “talk story” session where high tech professionals tell their personal stories of how they got their start in science and technology. Students will have a chance to ask questions and get direct answers from people working in the field.

STEMworks is a project-based, service-learning program that prepares students with the critical thinking and problem-solving skills needed in the 21st century workplace. It is offered at schools statewide by the WIT, which is funded in part by the US Departments of Labor, Agriculture, and Education as a workforce development project to encourage women, girls, and underrepresented minorities into science, technology, engineering and math careers.

For more information, email Isla Young at [email protected] or call (808) 875-2307.