Charlotte Catholic High School Hosts Annual STEM Career Fair for Students

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Kristopher Burke
5 years ago
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1 Charlotte Catholic High School Hosts Annual STEM Career Fair for Students More than 30 Professionals in STEM-Related Fields Volunteer Time to Engage with CCHS Students Charlotte, NC Charlotte Catholic High School held its annual STEM Career Fair for students on Friday, March 3 rd, in the school media center. More than 30 professionals from science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields donated their time and talents so that CCHS students could gain valuable insight into possible STEM careers. This was a great opportunity for our students to engage in real world conversations with real professionals, said Ivana O Kelly, chemistry teacher at CCHS and organizer of the career fair. Also, connecting our students with our community in Charlotte is a part of our vision and our beliefs at Charlotte Catholic. We are always pleased when opportunities can be provided for the local community to be a part of CCHS. The 30 professionals came from an array of companies, and included some very high-level positions. Participants included the Director of Nuclear Engineering at Duke Energy, Influence Health s Vice President of Strategic Services, a meteorologist from WBTV, Presbyterian Pathology Group s medical director, an automation engineer from Wells Fargo, and McGuire Nuclear Station s core reactor designer. CCHS students made the most of the opportunity to interact with the numerous professionals, speaking with as many as possible and asking various questions. In order to focus their conversations and maximize their time, students compiled a list of questions in advance, including: What made you decide that you wanted to become the kind of scientist you are? What would you like to achieve with your job? Is it hard to balance family life with this kind of career?

2 The students enjoyed learning about careers they hadn t considered or weren t aware of, in addition to careers they are contemplating. It was great talking with the software companies, said senior Caitlyn Hogg. It made me really excited to hear about the changes that are taking place in the industry and all the new possibilities for careers. The professionals were impressed with the students as well. They asked very intelligent, even phenomenal questions, commented Dana Courtney, CRNA, with Carolina Anesthesia Associates, PA. Mrs. Courtney and her colleague, Jessica Dziak, CRNA, used mannequins to show students how to intubate a patient and how to secure an airway with an endotracheal tube. Most were very interested in all the equipment we were able to bring in, added Mrs. Courtney. A few were taken aback by our mannequins at first, but once they saw the EKG equipment and monitors, then they really got into it. What a wonderful opportunity for our students to see the practical application of math and science, said Kurt Telford, Principal of CCHS. It s always great when we can connect the academic world with the working world for our students. The Science Department at Charlotte Catholic is dedicated to the belief that science education is crucial for all students. The department strives to provide hands-on activities and discussions within the classroom that stimulate reflective thinking and emphasize experimental design, use of technology such as computers and wireless probes, and teamwork. The department further believes: What students learn is essential to their ability to function in our increasingly complex and technological world, and is instrumental in developing attitudes that will be used by future policy makers to make decisions Science education challenges students to critically think, effectively write and articulate ideas, and actively learn, and Scientific exploration contributes to and enhances the skills needed to become a lifelong learner.

3 Lyndsay Tapases, Meteorologist with WBTV, discusses her career choice with interested CCHS students

Courtney, CRNA and Jessica Dzaik, CRNA show the many

4 Dr. Jim Bohmer with Novant Health Rankin OB/GYN shows students footage of a surgical procedure Dana Courtney, CRNA and Jessica Dzaik, CRNA show the many types of medical equipment they brought to share with CCHS students

5 Representatives from Sealed Air Corporation explain their technology to CCHS students John Brandt, Thomas Lagaly, Paul Davis, Benjamin Iwaoka, and Angel Morerra Ms. Gagnon from ESP Associates, PA, an engineering firm in Cornelius, shows design equipment to CCHS students Jack Broadnax, Jackson Kloiber, and Noah Strassner

CCHS students check out Storm3, WBTV s state-of-the-art mobile weather lab Companies and Organizations Represented at the CCHS STEM Career Fair: Wells Fargo ESP As

6 CCHS students check out Storm3, WBTV s state-of-the-art mobile weather lab Companies and Organizations Represented at the CCHS STEM Career Fair: Wells Fargo ESP Associates, P.A. Winthrop University Sealed Air Corporation Deloitte Electric Power Research Institute Duke Energy Carolinas Anesthesia Associates Mythic Rankin OB/GYN Ernst & Young Influence Health Wells Fargo Bank of America Microsoft Condor Werke USA Inc. Presbyterian Pathology Group Charlotte Water Novant Health LIST Technology US AIG Insurance WBTV Weather BASF PAVCO, Inc.

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