Students gathered at the AT&T Forum for Technology, Entertainment, and Policy for the 20th Annual HACEMOS High Tech Day
This past Thursday, Communities In Schools of the Nation’s Capital brought students from Cardozo Education Campus and Eastern High School to the AT&T Forum for Technology, Entertainment, and Policy for the 20th Annual HACEMOS High Tech Day.
Students journeyed outside of the classroom to participate in activities promoting discussion on the future of technology and their role in it. As students come of age in a rapidly changing world, being prepared to take advantage of opportunities in tech will give students an edge in securing their futures.
HACEMOS is an AT&T Employee Research Group supporting Latinx employees and their communities. Each year HACEMOS holds a High Tech Day, in which they teach students about careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math).
To understand the significance of a STEM education one just has to look at the numbers. According to a report by iD Tech:
- Between 2017 and 2027, STEM Jobs are projected to grow 13%
- The average median hourly wage for STEM jobs is $38.85, compared to $19.30 for all other types of jobs
- The National average annual salary for a STEM job is $87,570, compared to $45,700 for non-STEM jobs
HACEMOS’ High Tech Day sought to take advantage of these benefits by showing students the opportunities in the STEM field.
The morning started with a presentation by Celeste Carrasco, Director of Public Affairs at AT&T and CIS of the Nation’s Capital Board Member. Ms. Carrasco led students in a bilingual discussion on the future of technology in the workforce and how students can prepare themselves to get those jobs.
This was followed by a team building activity where small groups competed to create the tallest tower using just dry pasta, marshmallows, and painter’s tape. After the winning team was announced, the students broke into small groups for discussions with adult mentors who could answer their questions in a more intimate environment.
HACEMOS’ High Tech Day gave students the ability to explore topics related to technology and STEM surrounded by knowledgeable and caring adults. This experience will hopefully foster or reinforce an interest in STEM for these students.
As they return to their schools, students can continue their exploration of STEM in a variety of ways. They can work with the DCPS STEM Department to identify programs and opportunities for continuing to explore STEM pathways. They can also work with their school’s CIS site coordinators to find even more opportunities to develop their interests. With a caring adult by their side, the possibilities are endless.
