“The companies participating in Tech Mania give students a better understanding of the importance for STEM-related studies and how the skills they learn now will lay the foundation for solid careers in the future."
~ Tech Mania Chair Rebecca Hernandez of PROTEUS Technologies
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In 2008, concerned with the lack of interest in STEM-related subjects throughout the region’s high school students, the Fort Meade Alliance identified the need to create a program that would entice and engage students in the scientific, engineering and technological applications that have become essential to solving problems of vital importance to the nation and the world.
In April 2008, the FMA created Tech Mania, a day-long event created to bolster high school students’ interest in STEM-based careers by showcasing the technology that is being designed, created and built right in their own backyard.
Since its inception, more than 1000 students from several central Maryland counties have received hands-on exposure to career opportunities from several prominent businesses, federal agencies, and colleges in the region. The Tech Mania events have given students the opportunity to experience exciting and innovative technology being utilized to solve complex problems.
In just two short years, Tech Mania has expanded and improved. Faculty and guidance counselors from the schools now take part in afternoon sessions to help facilitate integration of advanced technologies into future school curriculum.
The event has been well received with four out of five students indicating Tech Mania has increased their interest in technology and a future in this career field.
“We know the importance of science, technology, engineering and math in this region,” said Penny Cantwell, Fort Meade Alliance Education and Workforce Development Chair and senior vice president of CommerceFirst Bank. “Our hope with Tech Mania is to get students engaged and excited about STEM to help build our critical workforce of the future.”
Tech Mania Participating Companies & Agencies:
- Anne Arundel Community College
- Booz Allen Hamilton
- Capitol College
- Defense Information Systems Agency
- Defense Media Activity
- FiberPlus
- Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab
- Johns Hopkins University
- L-3 Communications
- LG-TEK
- Lockheed Martin Corporation
- Northrop Grumman Corporation
- Proteus Technologies
- Science Applications International Corporation
- TeleCommunication Systems Inc.
- Towson University
- Verizon
- Wilhelm Commercial Builders
Photos by Fort Meade Alliance.





