2015 K-12 STEM Symposium Exhibitors and Demonstrations to Include Drones, Flight Simulator, Robotics

The 2015 K-12 STEM Symposium on Saturday, March 7th will feature more than 30 exhibitors, some with hands-on interactive displays.

One individual showcasing the “cool factor” of science and technology will be Christopher Vo, a roboticist leading technology development for Sentien Robotics. He is also the President of the DC Area Drone User Group, a community organization with about 1,700 members that seeks to promote the responsible use of flying robots for community service, artistic, entrepreneurial, education and recreational purposes.

“When I was 7-years-old, I was fascinated with model rocketry,” Vo said in an interview last year with WashingtonExec. “Some of the neighborhood kids went to the hobby store and bought off-the-shelf models. With my allowance, I could only afford to build my own rockets from scrap materials. However, most of my experimental homemade rockets were total failures. How could I make them fly faster and higher? At the public library, all of the books about rockets were filed under 629. After reading those books and experimenting on my own, I was finally able to build rockets that succeeded every time. Today, my hope is to spread that kind of curiosity to others.”

Vo is exhibiting under the George Mason University Volgenau School of Engineering, Motion and Shape Computing (MASC) Group banner, where he will demonstrate his small drone.

Other exhibitors and displays include science fair project finalists from Arlington, Fairfax and Loudoun county public schools; Boy Scouts of America (National Capital Region Council) STEM program; Children’s Hospital; The Children’s Science Center will feature insulating and conductive play dough, and build their own working circuit; the CyberPatriot VII Middle School Division National Finalists (Nysmith School team), will showcase their robotics equipment; United Through Reading will offer STEM book recommendations; and Vencore will have a flight simulator and fighter pilot.

Additional exhibitors include Booz Allen Hamilton, Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security Cybersecurity Education & Awareness (CE&A) Branch, U.S. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), Girls in Technology, Women in Technology Program (GIT/WIT), Leidos, Malaria Free World, Ten80 and Microsoft.

There will be a Parent Information Booth where attendees can view WashingtonExec’s Parent STEM Action Packet and hear from parents whose children are involved with STEM activities. Information on corporation partner initiatives will be available from the WashingtonExec STEM Council table.

Click here for a complete list of exhibitors.

The 2015 K-12 STEM Symposium is possible from the support of many local organizations, including CTOVision, Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce, Intelligence and National Security Alliance, Professional Services Council, Sage Communications and United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation.