SOUTH BEND, Ind. — The Michiana Science & Technology Center, Inc. (MSTCi), and Techie.com, have joined forces to offer a fun and educational expo on careers for the next generation, targeted at both youth and adults. This fall Expo, “STEM Opportunit-ies in Our Community: A Blast for All” is set for Sept. 14 from 1 to 5 p.m. at historic Union Station in downtown South Bend. The hands-on Expo will feature many STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) business and educational opportunities in the Michiana area.
MSTCi’s vision is to make STEM educational, business, and community organizations more visible in the Michiana region through discovery methods and hands-on applications. The event will feature interactive exhibits, as well as special guest speakers and representatives from area employers to discuss their needs for workers in STEM fields. In addition to hosting this third STEM expo, MSTCi is also planning to open a permanent location in South Bend, which will house an educational science and technology center open to the public.
Techie.com, an online magazine with a focus on disruptive technology and emerging trends, is co-hosting the event. Techie.com, also based in downtown South Bend, reports on the larger trend of emerging tech hubs outside of Silicon Valley, such as South Bend. “This is what we call the dot-cloud boom,” said Techie.com editor-in-chief, Dan Blacharski. “MSTCi is truly capturing the spirit of this trend in highlighting these hidden opportunities and showcasing the true potential of this region as one of the new tech capitals of the US.”
Many remember that South Bend was once a hub of innovation in the fifties and sixties. Amidst the current artistic Renaissance that the area is currently enjoying, there is also a huge tech and science boom. This is visible in the emergence of Ignition Park, Innovation Park, and the development of south downtown’s Renaissance District as a new tech hub. The “dot-cloud boom” has lowered the barriers to entry into the tech field, and has made all things possible for those with the know-how. This emerging trend allows for development of many new tech opportunities as well as job creation, and an incredible new wave of entrepreneurial activity in tech that hasn’t been seen since the nineties.
“South Bend is more than an old manufacturing town,” said Greg Jones, president of MSTCi. “Our tech Renaissance has already begun, and we are embracing it as a community. We are excited about our role in presenting these opportunities to the community.”
Just as South Bend was a vibrant hub of engineering and innovation during the Studebaker era, MSTCi’s vision is to help lead our community’s return to that same spirit of innovation in companies, and local K-16 schools.
For more information, visit MSTCi online at expo@mstci.org. Attending the Expo is free, but space is limited, so interested parties are encouraged to register for their free tickets in advance at http://mstci.eventbrite.com. Tickets will be available at the door on Sept. 14th, the day of the event.