Frederick Community College (FCC) yesterday hosted more than 1,000 middle school students from sixteen schools for the Ninth Annual FCPS Future Link STEM Career Conference. Students had the opportunity to learn from current professionals in various science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields including Information Technology, Biotechnology, Manufacturing, Engineering, Business, Management, and Finance.

The middle schoolers attended breakout sessions taught by FCC professors as well as business professionals from NASA, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, Acela Technologies, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., NIST, Canam Steel Corp., the Frederick County Department of Emergency Communications, and more. The classes covered a variety of topics such as cybersecurity awareness, making medicines, forensic microscopy, the world of consulting, engineering opportunities, and nursing.

According to The Frederick News-Post:

After 11 years of hosting Future Link with FCPS, Frederick Community College also sees returns on engaging with younger students, [Director of Admissions Lisa] Freel said. The percentage of local secondary students who enroll in FCC every year exceeds the state average.

“It exposes [students] to our campus. They see all the cool things we have here, including the new STEM lab,” Freel said. “They meet some of our professors. A lot of them come through and say, ‘I’m going to FCC when it’s time.’”

Future Link is made possible through a partnership between FCC, Frederick County Public Schools, Frederick County Workforce Services, Frederick Chamber of Commerce, and the Fort Detrick Alliance.

FCC offers many STEM-related majors and programs, including Bioprocessing Technology, Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Gaming and Simulation programs. There is also an Associate of Science STEM degree designed for students who plan to go on to a four-year school and major in one of the traditional STEM areas.

Read the full article for more information.