Industry Donors Support Upcoming YES! Expo in Detroit

HOUGHTON, Mich., Sept. 29 -- Corporate sponsors are stepping up to the plate in support of the YES! Expo, which aims to interest Michigan youth in science and engineering.

A total of 20,000 students in grades 8-12, primarily from southeast Michigan, are expected to attend the Expo, set for Nov. 2 at Detroit's Ford Field and sponsored by Michigan Technological University. This year's event will feature a visit from Bill Nye, the Science Guy.

The YES! (Youth, Engineering and Science) Expo will introduce students to technologically oriented professions through dozens of displays and exhibits that showcase science, engineering and health careers. Participants include dozens of corporations, organizations, all 15 of the state's public universities and a number of private colleges.

Expo 2006 takes place at a pivotal time, according to Pete Cattelino, director of the YES! Expo at Michigan Tech. "Increasing the number of engineers and scientists is critical to the future of Michigan's industry and economy, yet statistics indicate that the number of college-bound students interested in seeking science and engineering degrees awarded in the U.S. has dropped dramatically in recent years," he said. "As a result, auto industry officials say not enough skilled engineers, scientists and technicians will be available to meet demand."

The Expo provides industry an opportunity to help make that happen, according to its corporate supporters.

"The automotive industry continues to advance technologically and requires high-caliber engineers and technicians to develop and support these technologies," said John Torvinen, Ford Motor Company purchasing manager. "Ford is keenly interested in helping develop our youth and encourages them to explore career opportunities in these fields."

DaimlerChrysler's Jennifer Allman agrees. "It's important to get students interested in math and science at a young age, so we can keep industry competitive, here in Michigan and throughout the U.S.," said Allman, a vehicle development engineer on the Dodge Ram team. "It's not only for the good of the auto industry, but also for all American industry. If we can reach out to students and show them what kind of exciting jobs there are, we can get them hooked at a young age."

The Corn Marketing Program of Michigan also views YES! Expo as a tool to encourage innovation. "We'll need to encourage these students to find new uses for corn in the future," said Crystal Schulz, communications and programs coordinator. "It makes sense for us to talk with young people about corn-based products, from ethanol to plastics, because they are the ones who will be creating them."

The Expo introduces young people to a world of options, said Smallwood Holoman, manager of the Dow Promise Initiative, a community outreach program of Dow Chemical Corp.

"Efforts such as the YES! Expo are important for Dow Chemical's long-term ability to recruit talented young people interested in engineering and science," said Holoman. "For us, Expo creates an opportunity to participate in an activity that encourages people to consider very rewarding fields. We are very glad that Michigan Tech has taken the initiative to bring so many young people to one venue to see science and technology at its best."

http://www.yes.mtu.edu/