Blackhawk Technical College Foundation STEMposium Ready to Inspire Students

When the seeds of STEM education were planted nationwide in the 1990s, the vision of combining Science, Technology, Engineering and Math in the curricula of elementary, middle and high school students slowly began to take root in response to the United States’ need for innovative research in scientific and industrial fields.
Now, some 20 years later, the Blackhawk Technical College Foundation in conjunction with STEM proponent Project Lead the Way have joined with sponsor Scot Forge of Clinton, WI, to play host to STEMposium, the first of its kind exposition that demonstrates the commitment of area schools to STEM based projects.
The event will be held at BTC’s Advanced Manufacturing Training Center, 15 Plumb St., Milton, on Tuesday, April 21.
Projects from students of Janesville Parker and Craig high schools; Beloit Memorial High School and Beloit elementary schools; Wilmot schools; Elkhorn High School and Elkhorn West Side elementary schools, and Wheatland Center School in Burlington and New Munster will be on display to the general public from 5:00 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.
Students and parents/guardians interested in STEM programs are invited to a private showing and information session from 6:15 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The program will include a keynote address by William White, a former Ohio State and NFL player who is the regional vice president of Project Lead the Way, the nation’s leading provider of STEM educational programs and teacher training.
Other presentations will be made by Michael Reader, the president of Precision Plus, Inc. in Elkhorn, and BTC welding instructors, Dan Crifase and Bobbi Bishofberger.
Students and parents/guardians interested in attending are asked to sign up at tinyurl.com/m66ofve. There are 100 registrations available.
“Blackhawk Technical College, its Foundation and Scot Forge are excited to open our state-of-the-art Advanced Manufacturing Training Center to students, parents and the public for what should be a great demonstration of STEM education projects in our area,’’ said Elizabeth Horvath, BTC’s Director of Advancement and Community Relations. “Like Project Lead the Way, BTC recognizes how important STEM education is to developing the technically skilled and innovative employees of the future.’’
White, who played 11 years in the NFL after a storied football and academic career at Ohio State, has long been a community and educational leader.
“There is a significant challenge facing our country right now. If we do not act and work to provide all students with access to PLTW’s high-quality STEM programs, not only will students suffer, but our country will as well,’’ he said upon joining PLTW in 2012. “We are faced with an opportunity to improve outcomes for America’s children and lift up the U.S. economy as a result.”
In a later writing, White compared his athletic background to developing STEM skills, noting that not every student is made to be a professional athlete no matter how much work that student puts into that effort. However, “any student who takes a rigorous STEM program beginning at least in high school, majors in a STEM field in college and maintains a healthy GPA will have the opportunity for an in-demand career that pays well and supports a successful life.’’
Scot Forge is a long-time supporter of Blackhawk Technical College and will fund two scholarships for BTC students involved in a STEM program. Scot Forge is a 100 percent employee owned manufacturer of custom open die forgings and seamless rings with a manufacturing plant in Clinton, WI.