BEMIDJI, Minn. – On Tuesday, Jan. 22, between 100 and 150 high school seniors will descend on Bemidji State University to participate in an event organized by the Minnesota High Tech Association (MHTA) called the STEM Summit (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics). The event at Bemidji State will be the third of eight summits to be held in Minnesota designed to bring business, higher education, local government and communities around the state together to prepare students for an increasingly competitive global marketplace.

The MHTA hosted an initial round of 13 STEM Forums in 2006, which indicated thriving interest in STEM education. As a successor to the Fall 2006 Forums, this year’s regional summits will invite businesses and higher-education institutions to exhibit hands-on displays to continue the Association’s science, technology, engineering and mathematics education campaign.

The regional summits are designed to connect Minnesota’s businesses and higher education communities to students in grades 7-12 across the state. Businesses, higher educations institutions, and education organizations will present interactive exhibits to help Minnesota students experience future opportunities in STEM coursework and careers.

Many students say “science and math are boring.” They do not yet grasp the variety of opportunities included in terms such as “engineering” or “technical jobs,” and consequently, they do not recognize the wide range of opportunities and advantages STEM coursework provides. The interactive exhibits at the regional summits are geared to provide students with higher education and workforce applications to science and math, making it interesting and encouraging them to seek education and careers in related fields.

Alice Seagren, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Education, will be attending the regional summit at BSU, as will a variety of industry and faculty exhibitors.

For more information regarding the summit, please contact Taylor Pettis at (952) 230-4560 or via email at tpettis@mhta.org.

FOR YOUR CALENDAR
Jan. 22 – 9 a.m. – noon – Bemidji State University hosts Minnesota High Tech Association Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Summit, an interactive event for high school seniors. Location: Beaux Arts Ballroom, Hobson Memorial Union. Information: Taylor Pettis, MHTA; (952) 230-4560 or tpettis@mhta.org.

About the Minnesota High Tech Association
The Minnesota High Tech Association (MHTA) is a non-profit organization that supports the growth, sustainability and global competitiveness of Minnesota’s technology-based economy through advocacy, education and collaboration. In the fall of 2006, MHTA partnered with the Minnesota Department of Education in facilitating a series of forums to better prepare students for post-secondary education programs and careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The forums bring together local educators, parents and students with business and higher education leaders to build regional coalitions, promote STEM education and “fuel the pipeline” for the next generation of the science and technology workforce.