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June 3, 2017

STEAM Attends the “First Tech Fair in the Heights”

On Saturday June 3rd, 2017, the New York City Department of Design and Construction STEAM Initiatives Team participated in the First Tech Fair in the Heights. The American Association of Latinos in STEM (AALSTEM) hosted this event to encourage and support Latino youth to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. AALSTEM accomplishes its mission by engaging the Latino community and introducing successful Latino professionals to the community so that they can serve as role models for youth and give back at community engagement events of this nature.  The fair gave students the opportunity to learn about the New York City Department of Design and Construction, and other STEAM based organizations including Microsoft and ConEdison.

The Tech Fair incorporated numerous interactive activities that introduced STEM/STEAM to community members and showcased the many opportunities available throughout the city. Like AALSTEM, DDC STEAM Initiatives aims to expose underrepresented youth to careers in the built environment and provide them with the tools and framework to pursue STEM careers. College Interns distributed information about STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Architecture, and Mathematics) education initiatives and answered questions from parents about how parents can help prepare their children for careers in those fields.  Children as young as 4, answered questions posed by DDC’s “Wheel of STEAM” related to Science, Technology, Engineering, Architecture/Art, and Mathematics to win a DDC prize. College interns networked with other students to inform them about the DDC STEAM pipeline programs. 

the First Tech Fair in the Heights
DDC Commissioner Feniosky Peña – Mora, along with members of DDC STEAM Initiatives attended the First Tech Fair in the Heights.
DDC Commissioner Feniosky Peña pictured with community leaders
DDC Commissioner Feniosky Peña – Mora (center) pictured with community leaders at the Tech Fair in the Heights.