Kihei, Maui, Hawaii – The 3rd “Tech Careers: I Am The Future” will be held on May 27 – 28, 2009. Technology-based companies in the Maui Research and Technology Park will open their doors to approximately 60 middle school students on the first day of this two day session. Day one will also include a panel of young Maui professionals with science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) backgrounds in the “How I Got My Start” session and a hands-on engineering game. The second day will entail a rare opportunity to visit the Haleakala Observatories and Maui Space Surveillance System operated by the US Air Force.
As part of Maui Economic Development Board’s ongoing workforce development initiatives, the goal for this event is to introduce students to career opportunities in STEM. Exposure to career options at the critical middle school level enables students to make curricular and extracurricular choices that will help them prepare for these careers. The partners joining Maui Economic Development Board in this event include Akimeka, Boeing, Maui High Performance Computing Center, Monsanto, Oceanit, Pacific Disaster Center, University of Hawaii – Institute for Astronomy, the U.S. Air Force – Detachment 15 Air Force Research Laboratory and the Ground-Based Electro-Optical Deep Space Surveillance (GEODSS) system.
“Middle School Tech Careers: I Am The Future” is open to all of Maui County’s students. Transportation and accommodations will be provided for Hana, Lanai, and Molokai participants. Space is limited and some restrictions may apply. The deadline to register is May 8, 2009. For more information and to download the registration packet, please visit www.hightechmaui.com and www.womenintech.com websites or contact (808) 875-2341.
The Maui Economic Development Board is a nonprofit organization chartered to strengthen and diversify Maui County’s economic base. Over its 25-year history, the development of a high technology industry has been a priority in achieving its mission. MEDB administers the Women in Technology (WIT) Project which is designed to bring more females and underrepresented minorities into STEM education and careers. Middle School Tech Careers is funded in part by the Air Force Research Laboratory, and the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Education.
