(Hanover, Md. October 20, 2011) — The Fort Meade Alliance hosted its 2nd Annual STEM Family Night last night to more than 800 students and their parents showcasing different science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) being used by companies and government agencies right in their own backyard.

The free event, which took place at Arundel Mills Mall in Hanover, was full of cutting edge technology and hands-on science and math experiments designed to bolster elementary and middle school students’ interest in STEM-related careers.

“The Fort Meade Alliance understands how important it is to get these students excited about STEM at an early age,” said FMA Education and Workforce Development Chair Penny Cantwell. “We need to start training the youth about the importance of science, technology, engineering and math now, so that they are better prepared to successfully transition into our workforce.”

The event included demonstrations from Anne Arundel Community College, Anne Arundel Medical Center, Bay Engineering, Lockheed Martin, Maryland First Robotics, National Electronics Museum and Northrop Grumman.

Students created electricity with their body, performed gall bladder surgery, programmed robots, surveyed the mall with engineering equipment, experimented with science activities and saw an exoskeleton that gives super human strength.

“Community-based STEM events such as this one help to showcase the importance of learning science and mathematics early in life,” said Maureen McMahon, Assistant Superintendent for Advanced Studies and Program for Anne Arundel County Public Schools. “We need today’s students to be ready to become active participants in the high-tech careers of tomorrow. These STEM family night events provide the spark to ignite students’ interests and passions for science and math learning.”

STEM Family Night also offers students and parents a chance to talk to representatives from Anne Arundel County, Howard County and Prince George’s County Public School Systems about their STEM-focused programs and curriculum.

STEM Family Night is an extension of the Fort Meade Alliance’s successful Tech Mania, which invites local 9th grade students to experience hands-on technology demonstrations from local companies during this half-day event.

The Fort Meade Alliance created STEM Family Night in an effort to engage younger students — and their parents — in STEM-inspired paths. Parents play a significant role in their children’s interest in STEM. In fact, in an American Society for Quality study, professional engineers said that their parents were the major influence in their decision to pursue their career field.

For more information, please contact the Fort Meade Alliance at 410-850-4940.