BEMIDJI, Minn. (April 16, 2010) — More than 400 elementary and high school students from across northern Minnesota will descend on Bemidji State University’s John Glas Fieldhouse on Thursday, April 22, for Tech Challenge 2010.

Sponsored by the 360° Manufacturing and Applied Engineering Center of Excellence and the Department of Technical Studies, the challenge will showcase a variety of engineering- and technology-related competitions and events.

Technological studies faculty will be conducting several of the challenges and will be involved in judging. Groups of BSU students will conduct and score the event’s Knowledge Bowl competition.

Participants will also tour Bridgeman Hall.

The challenge, which begins at 9 a.m. and ends at 2 p.m., is free and open to the public.

360° is a partnership between Bemidji State University and nine community and technical colleges throughout Minnesota. The goal of the center is to offer technical programs that prepare students for today’s technical world and global economy. The center also seeks to connect students to the industry and show students how the right education can help them make a smart career choice.

For more information about 360°, please contact Karen White at (218) 755-2208.

On the Web
• 360°: http://www.360mn.org

About 360 Degrees
360° Manufacturing and Applied Engineering Center of Excellence is a partnership of 10 institutions led by Bemidji State University which includes Central Lakes College, Lake Superior College, Minneapolis Community and Technical College, Northland Community and Technical College, Northwest Technical College, Pine Technical College, Riverland Community College, Saint Paul College, and St. Cloud Technical College. 360° was initiated by the Governor of Minnesota to strengthen the state’s manufacturing economic sector and serve the needs of the industry by cultivating a potential future workforce through more flexible educational opportunities via the concept of the seamless career pathway.