Middle and high school students in the Carlsbad Unified School District will have the chance to participate in two hands-on, high-tech challenges sponsored by Nordson Corp. in partnership with the Carlsbad Educational Foundation.

The 2019 Tech Time Challenge, a nationwide event, offers students real-world problem-solving experience in science, technology, engineering and math (known as STEM). This is the third year that Carlsbad district schools have participated.

Students will have three weeks to craft a creative solution to a specific problem in the form of an essay or marketing presentation, according to a foundation news release. An assembly will be held at each site to showcase the students’ solutions. Participating students have a chance to win prizes, including an Apple iPad for the top solution in each grade at each middle school.

“The Carlsbad Educational Foundation is proud to partner with Nordson Corporation and the Carlsbad Unified School District to provide outstanding educational opportunities for all our students,” Carlsbad Educational Foundation CEO Michelle Ginn said in an organization news release. “As technology in schools evolves, we will continue to explore innovative programs that prepare children to thrive in an ever-changing world.”

The second event is SEMI High Tech U, a three-day workshop Feb. 26-28 that takes place at Nordson’s ASYMTEK facility and on campus at UC San Diego. The workshop gives students an opportunity to work with Nordson employees on units covering biology, chemistry, design and engineering. Students will also participate in career preparation activities such as resume creation and mock interviews with industry professionals.

“The kids loved it, our employees loved it — it was a win-win all around,” Nordson Program Officer Sara Vaz said in the foundation’s announcement about past SEMI High Tech U experiences. “The kids really got to see how STEM skills translate into the real-world work environment. Especially since some younger Nordson engineers taught modules, so the students got to see someone close to their age working in a real job and real environment.”

The Carlsbad Educational Foundation is a nonprofit organization supporting music, science and innovation in the Carlsbad Unified School District. The Nordson Corporation Foundation has funded hands-on science, technology, engineering and math programs provided by the Carlsbad Educational Foundation since 2010.

More information can be found online at www.carlsbaded.org.