The Moreno Valley Unified School District hosted its 3rd annual Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (STEAM) Unity Expo this past Saturday at Vista Del Lago High School to inspire students for STEAM related careers.
Over 65 vendors and many schools representing their booths were in attendance.
“Millions of jobs go unfilled across the nation because they don’t have enough students or enough graduates to fill those jobs, “ said Dr. Sue Buster, Director of Digital Learning and Professional Development. The STEAM Unity Expo helps students explore career opportunities and intrigue their interests by creating a fun learning environment filled with hands-on exhibits, displays, and a panel discussion with speakers in the field.
The keynote speaker was Captain Barrington Irving, the youngest person and the first black pilot to fly solo around the world. Irving shared his journey in becoming a pilot and exchanged insights about the industry that inspired those with a dream to persevere and achieve their goals.
A panel discussion then followed with industry professionals such as Hugo Vallafana, Aerospace Engineer; Moses Holley, Electrical Engineer; Brian Vu, Cyber Security Analyst; Celine Hendricks, Neuroscientist; and Armond Davis, Engineer & Entrepreneur. The panelists shared their inspirational stories, life trajectories, and introduced different fields for the audience to explore.
“The STEAM Unity Expo was a well-attended event and I am happy that we are able to offer this opportunity for students and families,” said School Board Member Jesus Holguin. “There were activities for people of all ages, and everyone was highly engaged. Every year it gets bigger and bigger, and we are excited to see what each year brings!
Overall, the event was a huge success filled with fun learning activities and inspirational leaders in the field. Thank you to our keynote speaker, panelists, school representatives, vendors, faculty and staff, and all those of attendance. We can’t wait to see the future generations explore this field!