The 2nd "Tech Careers: I Am The Future" will be held on May 29 - 30, 2008. Technology-based companies in the Maui Research and Technology Park will open their doors to approximately 60 middle school students on the first day of this two day session. Day one will also include a panel of young Maui professionals with science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) backgrounds in the "How I Got My Start" session and a hands-on engineering game. The second day will entail a rare opportunity to visit the Haleakala Observatories and Maui Space Surveillance System operated by the US Air Force.

As part of Maui Economic Development Board's ongoing workforce development initiatives, the goal for this event is to introduce students to career opportunities in STEM. Exposure to career options at the critical middle school level enables students to make curricular and extracurricular choices that will help them prepare for these careers. The partners joining Maui Economic Development Board in this event include Akimeka, Boeing, Maui High Performance Computing Center, Oceanit, Pacific Disaster Center, University of Hawaii - Institute for Astronomy, the U.S. Air Force -Detachment 15 Air Force Research Laboratory and more.

"Middle School Tech Careers: I Am The Future" is open to all of Maui County's students. 

MentorNet, The E-Mentoring Network for Diversity in Engineering and Science, is celebrating its tenth birthday at the Woman's Club of Palo Alto on Monday, April 7th.

"MentorNet has offered a crucial element in helping increase the number of women and other underrepresented groups to fill this country's need for engineers, scientists, and mathematicians. Launched in 1998, its One-on-One program has connected more than 21,000 student-proteges with professionals in their career fields of interest," noted Dory Yochum, Chair of MentorNet's Board of Directors.

At the ten year celebration, leaders from some of the 13 corporate sponsors, 2 government lab sponsors, 102 higher education partners, and the 21 professional associations and other nonprofits affiliated with MentorNet will celebrate the program's decade of achievement, along with other MentorNet sponsors, individual supporters, and program participants.

"Over the years, we have heard inspiring stories from our participants about how their mentoring relationships made a significant difference in their academic and career paths. These key relationships have motivated students toward tomorrow's scientific discoveries and technical innovation," remarked Carol Muller, MentorNet's founder and CEO.  "It has been a privilege to have worked with so many talented individuals and seen what a difference we can collectively make in the lives of our participants, working together through MentorNet." 

About MentorNet - www.MentorNet.net

MentorNet, headquartered in San Jose, California, is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization working to further the progress of women and others underrepresented in scientific and technical fields through the use of a dynamic, technology-supported mentoring network.  MentorNet aims to advance individuals and society, and enhance engineering and related sciences, by promoting a diversified, expanded and talented global workforce.  In partnership with colleges and universities, corporations, government labs and agencies, and professional societies, MentorNet is international in scope, serving students and professionals from all over the world.  MentorNet was recognized in 2001 with the (U.S.) Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring.  Major funding is provided by IBM, Intel Foundation, Texas Instruments, Cisco Systems, Hewlett Packard, AT&T, 3M Foundation, Alcoa Foundation, and the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation.

Contact:

Carol Muller

Founder and CEO, MentorNet

408.296.4405