Girls in Technology event promotes exciting new possibilities created through STEM careers
Texas Border Business
McAllen, Texas — More than 140 students from various school districts in the Valley attended South Texas College’s (STC) second annual Girls in Technology event at the college’s Technology Campus Wednesday, Feb. 27.
The program, which was organized as an offshoot of STC’s annual Women in Technology event which takes place in April, consisted of speakers, hands-on activities, and tours of various manufacturers in the area.
Much like its sister event, Women in Technology, the new program established for girls is an initiative to build the education and motivation for them to explore opportunities for careers in various technology fields offered at STC’s Technology Campus.
Speakers at the event included STC President Dr. Shirley A. Reed, Border Patrol agent Sam Clark, and STC Dean of Business, Public Safety and Technology Mario Reyna.
“Growing up, I learned had to be really tough and I had to be really smart,” Dr. Reed told students. “I learned that I had to run faster, I had to be stronger and get better grades. No matter what it was, I had to be better and it has served me very well throughout my life and my career.
“Today, I will tell every one of you that you have to be tough and you have to be smart because you will have some challenges as you get older but right now you have the opportunity to just dream,” Dr. Reed said.
Attendees were able to take the first step into the world of technology by participating in hands-on activities with Advanced Manufacturing Technology, Welding and Architectural Engineering Design Technology (AEDT) programs and had the opportunity to tour various manufacturing companies.
Students visited companies including Priority Tooling Solutions where they were introduced to plastic injection molds and Royal Technologies, where they learned about injection molding.
“There are plenty of careers out there, and really the choices are endless when it comes to what we have to offer here at South Texas College.,” said Dr. Esmeralda Adame, Assistant Dean of STC’s Business, Public Safety, and Technology Division. “Everything we are doing here is an effort to open not only their eyes but all the pathways that are before them. We want to expose them to what we have and all of the careers so they can see that they can really do anything they want.
“Here, we are jumping at the chance to get them exposed to what there is. STEM is possible, and we want to plant that seed,” Dr. Adame said.
The Business & Technology Division at STC offers a wide range of programs and degree options including Welding, Automotive and Diesel Technology, Heating, Ventilation, A/C and Refrigeration (HVAC&R), Electrician Technology, Architectural and Engineering Design Technology, Police Academy, Fire Science, Culinary Arts, Information Technology, Construction, Business Administration, Human Resource Management, Office Administration, Paralegal, and Computer and Advanced Technology.
 second annual Girls in Technology event at the college’s Technology Campus Wednesday, Feb. 27.){kind=link}