Dozens of educators and business professionals from four counties in Pennsylvania participated in an inaugural STEM conference hosted by several local education organizations at Cameron County High School. The keynote speaker discussed how advances in 3D printing will lead to more customized products. Teachers then attended breakout sessions demonstrating how to incorporate STEM into classrooms through activities like building robots, bridges, and programming devices. A business panel highlighted local STEM careers and innovation. Attendees received a STEM resource kit and prizes. Plans are underway to make the STEM conference an annual event.

1. For Immediate Release FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE:
Contact: Jackie Lundy
P: 814-781-3437
jackielundy@communityedcenter.com
Successful STEM Conference held at CCHS
Recently, dozens of educators and business professionals from Elk, Cameron,
Potter, and McKean counties participated in an inaugural STEM conference. The
conference took place at Cameron County High School and was hosted by the
Community Education Center's (CEC) DISCOVER Partnership, The Potter County
Education Council’s-Business Connect Program, the Seneca Highlands IU9 and
Career and Technology Center, and a committee of local educators. The event
highlighted the innovation in today’s workplace and stressed the importance of
teaching students skills relating to the four subjects, Science, Technology,
Engineering, and Math (STEM). The United States currently lags behind most
nations in producing people who choose to work in S.T.E.M. careers and this
effort can help to assure students are ready and excited about joining these
high demand fields.
Keynote speaker Dr. Hod Lipson kicked off the conference with his talk about
advances in 3-D printing and how the technology will change the world. He
hypothesized that as 3-D printing advances, the world of mass production will
transition into a world of customization. For example, he said, everything from
shoes, vehicles, artificial limbs, and even heart valves will be printed to fit the
specifications of consumers. Following the presentation by Dr. Lipson, teachers
had the opportunity to go to the many breakout sessions that were offered by
local educators. In the sessions, educators built rockets out of soda bottles,

2. created robotic insects powered by gears and mechanicals, built bridges,
learned the algorithm to complete a Rubick’s Cube, and programmed everyday
items into game controllers. These were just a few of the many sessions that
demonstrated how STEM can be emphasized in the classroom in creative ways.
The Dresser-Rand Challenger Learning Center and Pitt Bradford’s Science in
Motion were among those that presented in breakout sessions.
Following the breakout sessions, a panel of local business representatives were
on hand to highlight STEM careers and innovation in their industries. The
business and Industry panel included employees from: Allegheny Coatings, Cole
Memorial, Buckler Transport, Inc., GKN Sinter Metals and the Susquehannock
State Forest.
At the conclusion of the conference, all in attendance received a STEM Resource
Kit that included many of the materials needed to implement the hands-on
projects that were presented throughout this conference. STEM related
incentives including 2 Kindle Fires and a Microsoft Surface were awarded to a
few lucky educators. The event was a success and plans are in the works to
make the STEM conference an annual event.
This conference was funded (in part) by the North Central JOBS! (PA JOBS1st)
grant received by the North Central PREP and NCWIB from the PA Department of
Labor and Industry and the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic
Development’s Discovered in PA, Developed in PA program. Many thanks also
go out to UGI Corporation and Walmart for their generous donations.
See attached photo.
Caption should read:
During a breakout session at the recent STEM Conference, Shane Lock, technology educator from
Smethport Area High School, demonstrates how to make a "Bottle Rocket" out of a recycled 2 liter

3. bottle. Following his demonstration, all educators who attended his session met on the school lawn
for a contest to see whose bottle rocket would fly the highest using a homemade launcher.