Area Technology Firms Plant Seeds for the Future
With Hands-On Fun For Elementary Students

MATH & SCIENCE NIGHT

March 11, 2010 - 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Cochran Elementary School
Williamsport, Pennsylvania

Where can children snap circuits together to make an engine start, flip a switch to see a nail become a magnet or report world events from what looks like the moon? These and other activities will put the fun side of math and science in the hands of elementary-age students and their parents attending Math and Science Night, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Thursday, February 25, at Cochran Elementary School.

For more than three years Cochran's Math and Science Night has featured displays by area businesses and colleges to create excitement about math and science and to raise awareness of the opportunities to work within technology fields in the Williamsport area.

"This event has grown with more and more families and businesses in attendance," says David Michaels, principal at Cochran Elementary. "It's a great night and really helps to build that connection-that math and science can be fun. This is the age to start building that interest and excitement for the future. It fits well with our mission."

Spearheading the event is the Technology Futures Council of North Central PA (www.TechFuturesNCPA.org), a group of area businesses united in their interest in moving North Central PA forward in technology advancement and economic development through innovation. Participating companies put together hands-on displays designed to be fun while peaking childrens' curiosity about the math and science behind them.

"We want students and their parents to learn that there's a purpose to those math and science classes they must take, and that if students work very hard and go into a career with a basis in math or science, they can have a good quality of living, even here in their hometown," says council founder Anna Griffith, chief executive officer and co-founder of Discovery Machine, Inc.

Griffith has multiple motives for participating. In addition to being the parent of three Cochran Elementary students, her technology business is committed to recruiting employees with Pennsylvania roots.

"We have a much higher success rate hiring people with local ties-it's a quality of life issue," says Griffith. "Part of what this event does is show people that they can have very interesting and challenging careers right here in this beautiful community."

Among the dozens of displays will be:

Mobile Production Studio
Students experience ChromaKey (green screen) technology to report events from around the world, even the moon. This display shows students how things on TV or the Internet may not always be what they seem.

Intrada Technologies (www.intradatech.com) is a full service technology and Web development company and Milepost Documentaries (www.milepostdocs.com) makes personalized video biographies.

Electricity/Magnetism and Concept to Design Demonstrations
A presentation using 3D Computer Modeling Software shows students the progression from an idea to a final product. Then, with the flip of a switch, students can see the role electricity plays in turning a nail into a magnet. What happens when they turn the switch off? Why?

L3 Communications Electron Devices (www.l-3com.com) is a designer and manufacturer of microwave vacuum devices used in a variety of military and commercial systems, will provide two displays.

Building with Circuits
Snapping circuits together in different configurations children can turn on a light or make the motor of a fan start running.

J.B. Gibbons Constructions (www.jbgibbons.com) is a commercial/industrial contractor.

Computer Programming
Students will try their problem solving and math skills to do some computer programming.

Discovery Machine (www.discoverymachine.com) a provider of custom business intelligence solutions, software tools, comprehensive services and training to a broad range of industries including national defense, homeland security, aerospace and life sciences.

Airplane Making
Lycoming Engines (www.lycoming-textron.com) a major manufacturer of general aviation piston engines will provide guidance for making paper airplanes

Other participants include:
• Larson Design Group
• Primus Technologies
• Chief
• Penn College
• Susquehanna Health Physical Therapy

The Technology Futures of North Central PA organization is united under a shared vision for technology advancement and economic development. The organization brings together people who have a vital interest in moving the region forward through innovation. For more information about the Technology Futures of North Central PA, Event information, partnership or other participation information, please email info@TechFuturesNCPA.org

As of March 2, 2010