Carlsbad CA— Experiential learning makes a powerful and lasting impact on students, particularly in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math. Carlsbad Unified School District’s middle and high school students have a unique opportunity to participate in two hands-on, high-tech challenges sponsored by Carlsbad Educational Foundation’s community partner, Nordson Corporation.
Middle school students get to take part in the 2019 Tech Time Challenge. This program aims to make math and science fun by giving students a real-life STEM problem to solve. Customized by grade level to reflect school curriculum, students have three weeks to craft a creative solution to that specific problem in the form of an essay or marketing presentation. At the end of the three-week program, a school-wide assembly is held at each site to showcase participants’ STEM solutions. Students with the most innovative solutions have a chance to win prizes, and the top-solution in each grade at each middle school wins an Apple iPad.
This is the third year CUSD has participated in the nationwide event. Since the start of this program five years ago, Nordson has reached more than 20,000 students in six states! Visit https://www.carlsbaded.org/techtime/ for details.
SEMI High Tech U is an internationally acclaimed career exploration program for Carlsbad’s high school students. This three-day intensive workshop takes place at the Nordson ASYMTEK facility and on campus at UCSD and gives students a chance to work with Nordson employees through modules relating to chemistry, biology, engineering and design. They also get to create resumes and participate in mock interviews with industry professionals.
“The kids loved it, our employees loved it – it was a win-win all around,” said Sara Vaz, Program Officer at Nordson. “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.”
Applications are now being accepted for SEMI High Tech U, held on February 26 – 28, at https://www.carlsbaded.org/semihightechu/.
Michelle Ginn, Carlsbad Educational Foundation CEO says, “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. As technology in schools evolves, we will continue to explore innovative programs that prepare children to thrive in an ever-changing world.”
Carlsbad Educational Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports music, science and innovation in the Carlsbad Unified School District. The Foundation also runs the Kids Care before and after school program, as well as various other enrichment and summer programs to support students and their families. Visit www.CarlsbadEd.org for more information.
Nordson Corporation Foundation supports quality educational experiences that foster self-sufficiency, job readiness and goals to aspire to higher education. Nordson has funded hands-on science, technology, engineering, and math programs provided by the Carlsbad Educational Foundation since 2010. Nordson operates on the belief that business, as a corporate citizen, has a social responsibility to share its success with the communities where it operates and draws employees.
Visit http://www.nordson.com/en/our-company/community for more information.