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AbilITy Connection Participates in Spring 2009 iFair

Ability Connection Participates in Spring 2009 iFair - Engineering, Science & Technology Careers

Since March, 2007, there have been five iFairs in this trade show format (April 7th was the sixth). The major goal of these five events is to stimulate interest in and EXCITEMENT about IT and Engineering career choices. By all reports, these undertakings were resounding successes for the 28 companies, 9 educational institutions/programs, and 2850 MPS high school/middle school students, teachers and counselors who have participated/attended.

On April 7, 2009 AbilITy Connection participated in the Milwaukee-community-wide student education.  iFair, held twice a year, is an event to promote careers in engineering and IT to middle and high school students. Area businesses participate and staff the event, showcasing various technology and engineering solutions. The event was started by a University of Whitewater professor who observed a decline in the number of students studying technology and engineering.  He began iFair and it is now held in both the Fall and Spring semesters. 

Approximately 450 MPS from 11 high schools and middle schools students attended; gaining exposure to careers in IT and Engineering in a trade show atmosphere. AbilITy Connection provided financial support, staffed a booth demonstrating Microsoft Worldwide Telescope and a multi-dimensional presentation regarding how Microsoft is building out their new Data Center infrastructure, and participated in a panel discussion.

Peggy Dooley, along with the planning team of Dave Rice, Al Thompson, Thayre Faust, Dan Curley, Julie Reiels, Laurie Ocepek, Jacob Jones, and Yusuf Abu-Hoatoum planned AbilITy Connection’s display and presentations for the students.

Response from attendees, teachers and parents alike has been very positive.

"Fritsche students and staff thank you all for the very positive iFAIR experience!  Our students really appreciated the event; several were interviewed for the channel 12 and 58 news, some set career aspirations and considerations, and all returned with an increased interest in the IT world!  Their motivation was contagious and other Fritsche students were asking about "the next iFAIR".  Our principal (who chaperoned the event) was very impressed with the iFAIR and it was good for her to see how interested in IT, engineering and the STEM world, our Fritsche students are. Your hard work is appreciated!"

"You folks are making a difference in the lives of these students - Congratulations."

The team received the following note from the Harley-Davidson organizing committee.
"It was nice to see you [all] yesterday at the iFair.  I hadn't attended that before.  What a great event!  The students were all so engaged.  I loved the booths and the panel discussion.  What a great opportunity.  Really nice job by your team pulling that off."

"Also, my son attended yesterday with his school and last night was talking about being a biomedical engineer when he grows up.   :-) Yeah! Congratulations on a great event."

To view a short Channel 12 – WISN TV report regarding iFair...
http://www.wisn.com/video/19122271/index.html