SEM Link is an Exhibitor at 3rd US Science and Engineering Festival in DC April 26-27

OAKLAND, Calif. - March 5, 2014 - PRLog -- Science, Engineering and Mathematics Link Inc. (SEM Link) will be participating in the 3rd USA Science & Engineering Festival Expo and Book Fair (http://www.usasciencefestival.org/), hosted by founding and presenting sponsor Lockheed Martin (http://www.lockheedmartin.com/us/news/features/2014/usa-science-fest.html).  Designed to inspire the next generation of innovators, the Festival Expo is a free, family-friendly expo that allows kids and adults to participate in more than 3,000 hands-on activities and see more than 100 live stage performances.

“The US Science and Engineering Festival is one of our favorite events to participate in. It is an honor to be a part of the largest STEM event in the nation. It is an opportunity for us to achieve our vision of “unveiling potential through exposure” with other organizations that want to create the next generation of STEM professionals” said Ms. Tokiwa T. Smith, SEM Link Founder and Executive Director.

The Festival Expo (http://www.usasciencefestival.org/festival-highlight-video), which takes place at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in DC on April 26 and 27^th from 9am-6pm, is the free grand finale of the Festival’s year-long science celebration.  Taking the entire convention center, the Festival Expo will also have a Career Pavilion (http://www.usasciencefestival.org/2014-festival/career-pa...), Book Fair (http://www.usasciencefestival.org/2014-festival/book-fair...)—complete with signings by well-known science authors, and multiple competitions such as EPA P3’s sustainability challenge.  In all, the Festival expects more than 250,000 people to participate.

SEM Link’s exhibit is Linking Science to Everyday Materials. At our booth, attendees will engage in some pretty cool science experiments using everyday materials from grocery stores or discount stores. In addition, SEM Link volunteers will participate in Meet the Scientist program where STEM professionals from our organization will be available for questions about their career on Sunday, April 27 from 10:00-10:50am.

The Festival features science celebrities, explorers, astronauts, athletes, authors, and experts in fields like robotics, genomics, medicine, advanced manufacturing, and even 3D printing.   Participating celebrities (http://www.usasciencefestival.org/2014-festival/2014-view-stage-shows.html) include:

·         Dirty Job’s Mike Rowe (Discovery Channel)

·         Basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

·         Bill Nye the Science Guy

·         Grammy Award-Winners “They Might Be Giants”

·         Author and Illustrator David Macaulay

·         Author and Actress (Wonder Years) Danica McKeller

·         Miss California Crystal Lee (Stanford grad, Miss USA Runner Up, and STEM advocate)

·         Design Squad’s Nate Bell (PBS)

·         Illusionist Apollo Robbins

·         Stuck with Hackett’s Chris Hackett (Science Channel)

·         “Super Woman of Big-Wave Surfing” Maya Gabeira

·         MoneyBall’s Paul Depodesta

·         Cast and crew from TV Shows like Big Bang Theory, House and Breaking Bad

Among its themes this year is a focus on encouraging diversity in STEM careers.  Also with more than three million unfilled jobs that require STEM experience, the event is highlighting skills based and “do-it-yourself” professions—with the help of Mike Rowe—to emphasize the dire need for skilled workers.  In addition, the Festival is showcasing new technologies and their applications.

Founded by serial entrepreneur Larry Bock and Lockheed Martin CTO Ray O Johnson to address the severe shortage in science and tech talent, the USA Science & Engineering Festival is the nation’s largest science festival and was developed to ignite the next generation’s interest in considering careers in science and engineering.  In recognition of the Festival’s role in making STEM a national priority, Congress recently designated the last week in April as “National Science Week (http://www.usasciencefestival.org/images/2014/PDFs/Final_Release_USASEF_Senate_Res_329_1.8.14.pdf)” and made the Festival a focal point.

“Science is amazing…that’s our message to kids and adults attending the Festival.  Staying competitive as a nation means we have to encourage more kids to think about careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). What better way to capture their imaginations than gathering the rock stars of science in one place and providing activities they can really do?” explained Larry Bock, Festival co-founder.

To learn more, visit www.USAScienceFestival.org or watch the video at www.usasciencefestival.org/festival-highlight-video.

ABOUT SEM LINK

Science, Engineering and Mathematics Link, Inc. (SEM Link), a tax-exempt national nonprofit organization, founded in 2005 by Ms. Tokiwa T. Smith in Atlanta, Georgia on the premise that exposure to members of the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) communities is critical to student achievement and career exploration in math and science.  Our two core programs, Experimental Design Program and Math and Science Career Academy, enhance the STEM educational experience for K-12 students by providing them with opportunities to engage in hands-on STEM activities, explore STEM careers and learn about real-world applications of STEM. Since our inception we have served thousands of youth in Atlanta, the San Francisco Bay Area and the Washington DC Metro Area. Like SEM Link on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/semlinkinc) , follow @semlink on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/semlink)and @semlink on Instagram (http://instagram.com/semlink).  For more information about SEM Link visit our website at www.semsuccess.org or email us at info@semsuccess.org.