FARMINGTON – If you’re a student thinking about a career in STEAM – science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics – now’s the time to steer yourself to the Marion County Technical Center.
The center is hosting a STEAM and career technical education fair from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday for students and their families.
Donna Heston, Marion’s superintendent of schools, said she expects a bustle of activity at the center, which is located on the campus of North Marion High School in Farmington.
“We’ll have more than 50 vendors there,” she said previously. “We’re excited.”
Programs geared to students from pre-kindergarten to senior year will be offered up during the day, organizers said.
Rockets will be launched, drones will be piloted and robots will be coded. Musical groups will even supply a STEAM soundtrack for the day.
Students will also solve math puzzles while trying out new types of art, using 3D printer pens, laser engravers and cardboard cutters.
Representatives from industry and colleges and universities will also be there to talk about career pathways in STEAM fields.
Which is the first order of business on the job description for the center.
Career technical education has long been a staple in Marion County Schools. The technical center was located in downtown Fairmont for decades. A new location was next to North Marion High. When that school opened its doors in 1979, so did the tech center.
Today, its course offerings run the roster with traditional classes in welding, automotive technology, carpentry and agriculture.
Aerospace engineering is also on the schedule – along with instruction in marketing, broadcasting, law and public safety and the health occupations.
The center also spotlights its students, instructors and course offerings through a regular podcast.
Visit Marion County Schools at marionboe.com to learn more about the center and to register for the STEAM fair.
