STEM Symposium: Cyber Security, Green Technology, Game Design, Robotics, and More

Over 200 high school students from across the region – including 23 students and several faculty members from Central Catholic – recently attended Junior Achievement’s STEM Symposium at Greater Lawrence Technical School in Andover, MA.

The symposium offered students the unique opportunity to interact face-to-face with companies and employees currently working in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) fields.

The keynote speaker for the event was Travis McCready, President and CEO of Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, and panel discussions were led by industry professionals including Vicky Wu Davis, Executive Director of Youth CITIES; Ian Davis, Studio President of Rockstar New England at Rockstar Games; Lisa Shoots, Senior Manager of Systems Engineering, Endeavor Robotics; and Anita Worden, Former Owner and President, Solectria Renewables.

In addition to witnessing unique technology skills being put to practice, students also learned a variety of professional soft skills such as communication, listening to others, working in a team and more.

Yoangelis Diaz '19, a CCHS senior who is interested in pursuing civil engineering, attended the event and found value in every session. “Each workshop had something to offer me - some were very hands-on, others offered tips and tricks about the STEM field and how to be prepared for an interview with a major STEM company.”

A variety of topics were also explored through workshops such as Cyber Security (Advoqt Technology Group); Manufacturing Design (Straumann Group); The Internet of Things and 5G Workshop (Verizon); Professional Development in STEM Workshop (Raytheon); Innovation, and Career Readiness (Junior Achievement).

“This symposium was a great way for students to see how being educated in STEM can be useful in all aspects of their lives,” said Ms. Bridgette Bolduc, a science teacher at CCHS who also attended the symposium. “We were able to see how Verizon is using technology to help local SWAT teams with a camera ball that shows live 3D video. We were able to meet with representatives from Raytheon who described their need for a wide range of skills from critical thinking with math/science to business and artistic skills. We listened to the local president of Rockstar games describe the need for artists with computer skills. We also had the opportunity to explore how to be innovative in a competitive society. Gatherings like this help expose our students to a greater realm of possibilities for career choices at this critical junction between high school and college.” 

Thank you to Junior Achievement for offering this event and to Greater Lawrence Technical School for hosting! Our students and faculty are grateful for the opportunity!