DETROIT ? Some 20,000 high school and middle school students from across Southeast Michigan will pack Ford Field Nov. 2 to get exposed to the possibilities of a technology career at a science fair hosted by Michigan Technological University and Innovation Emporium Inc.
Special emphasis on the sold out event has been placed on attracting under-represented groups, including low income students from greater Detroit, to what?s been dubbed YES Expo 2006.
More than 70 companies, educational institutions, and organizations with interests in science and technology will be on hand to show these students careers in technology and sciences. Exhibitors range from space exploration to Earth sciences and from biological studies to robotics.
Statistics show that in recent years the number of college-bound students indicating interest in science and engineering degrees in the U.S. has dropped dramatically. Industry leaders state that there are not going to be enough skilled engineers, scientists, and technicians to fill the growing number of occupations.
Besides these trends, minorities and women are also under-represented in all areas of engineering and science. YES! Expo 2006 tackles this problem head-on by inspiring and encouraging students in grades 8-12 to choose exciting and rewarding careers in engineering and science.
Special exhibiters include Cranbrook Institute of Science, The New Detroit Science Center, FIRST Robotics, Girl Scouts of Metro Detroit, Habitat for Humanity Detroit, the Henry Ford, NASA, and the U. S. Department of Education. Even Bill Nye, the Science Guy, will be there to amuse and inspire the next generation of college-bound students.
YES Expo 2006 is scheduled for Nov. 2 from 7:30-2 pm at Ford Field. The event has been booked to capacity since September; no walk-in admissions are available to students or the public.
