Cong. Cuellar, TAMIU Host 3rd Annual STEM Days
More than 250 local and area middle school and high school students and their counselor coordinators will have a chance to meet an astronaut, design by AutoCAD and explore biology and mathematics research as part of Texas A&M International University’s presentation of “TAMIU STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Days, continuing Thursday, Feb. 28 and Friday, March 1.
TAMIU provost and vice president for Academic Affairs Dr. Pablo Arenaz said the annual event is now in its third year.
“This is a really a great opportunity for us to allow students to peek into the futures possible through STEM: from being an astronaut or an engineer to researching ways to better our collective lives, graduates in STEM fields have uncommonly bright futures. We’re happy to have hosted this event with Congressman Henry Cuellar for the past three years,” Dr. Arenaz said.
Congressman Cuellar (TAMIU ’82), who worked along with his staff to secure government affiliates at the events so that both the private and public sector are involved, said the event helps to encourage student to pursue STEM careers.
“It is no surprise that nine out of ten of the fastest growing occupations require STEM backgrounds,” Congressman Cuellar said, “For America to remain the global financial superpower, we need degreed professionals in these vital areas. I look forward to continuing to work with TAMIU and other colleges to help promote opportunities in STEM fields so that our young generations will invent, engineer, research and design.”
The event is made possible by generous support provided by Aramark, Chesapeake Energy, Inc., CenterPoint Energy Entex and Sony. Exhibitors throughout the event will include the Imaginarium, Lewis Energy and Sames Motor Company.
Also present will be representatives of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the Department of Homeland Security, which will present a hands-on demonstration of an electrochlorinator capable of converting ordinary table salt into chlorine to cleanse water of pathogens and viruses.
The Association of Unmanned Vehicle Systems International will showcase underwater robotics with program components capable of STEM curriculum addition at the high school level. The Laredo Air Branch of the Office of Air and Marine will showcase items used in missions flown across the U.S.
In addition to information sessions and exhibits that apply STEM education to real world research and occupations, TAMIU STEM Days will include visits by special guests, including a video appearance by U.S. Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan. Other exhibitors include Informal Science Learning Associates of Laredo.
On Feb. 28 (10th Grader Day) Engineer Mirza Kero of Sony Electronics will talk about his life as an engineer during a special guest lecture and luncheon. Kero is a senior manager for technical support and quality feedback for Sony Electronics and has over 29 years of experience in consumer electronics. A recipient of the Sony Global Quality Award, he holds a bachelors degree in Engineering from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology and has invented an improved HDMI connector.
On March 1 (Middle School Girls Day), TAMIU STEM Day participants will be joined by NASA astronaut Scott D. Tingle, Commander, US Navy at a guest lecture and luncheon.
Tingle holds a master's in mechanical engineering from Purdue University and a bachelors degree, also in mechanical engineering from Southeastern Massachusetts University. He was selected in July 2009 as one of 14 members of the 20th NASA astronaut class. He graduated from Astronaut Candidate Training that included scientific and technical briefings, intensive instruction in International Space Station systems, Extravehicular Activity (EVA) robotics, physiological training, T-38 flight training and water and wilderness survival training. He has accumulated more than 3,500 flight hours in 48 types of aircraft, 700 carrier arrestments and 54 combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan.
For more information on TAMIU STEM Days, contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at 326.2180, e-mail prmis@tamiu.edu , visit offices in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, room 268 or click on www.tamiu.edu
University information is also available on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu