The Fort Meade Alliance debuted STEM Family Night to more than 500 students and parents on October 27, 2010 at Arundel Mills in Hanover, Md. STEM Family Night, which
showcased some of the exciting and innovative technology being used by local companies and organizations, was created to inspire students from elementary through high school in science, technology, engineering and math.
The night was full of cutting edge technology and hands-on demonstrations designed to bolster students’ interest in STEM-related careers. For instance, Lockheed Martin experimented with facial recognition apps and wireless networks, while
Northrop Grumman showed how the Doppler effect works giving students radar guns to detect the speed of a train. Attendees got up close and personal with a gall bladder surgery and learned how different surgical medical equipment worked at Anne Arundel Medical Center. Students performed critical missions with First LEGO League Robotics.
STEM Family Night also offered students and parents a chance to talk to representatives from Anne Arundel and Howard County Public School Systems about their STEM-focused programs and curriculum. They also could plan for the future with insight into STEM-related studies from Anne Arundel Community College, Capitol College, College of Notre Dame of Maryland, Frostburg State University and University of Maryland University College.
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.
“We want to help inspire students at a young age,” said Penny Cantwell, Fort Meade Alliance Education and Workforce Development Chair and senior vice president of CommerceFirst Bank. “Increasing awareness and interest in STEM-related fields is critical in this region with the onslaught of new BRAC-related and Cyber Command jobs. We know we have to do our part to get the future workforce ready for the jobs of tomorrow."
For more information about STEM Family Night, contact the Fort Meade Alliance at director@ftmeadealliance.org.




