HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Holloman Air Force Base hosted the fourth annual New Mexico Aviation Aerospace Association Career Expo here, Oct. 6, 2016.
About 2,500 middle school through college-level students from across New Mexico came out to learn about the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields. They also had the opportunity to learn about careers and training in the aerospace industries.
The goal of STEM is to motivate and educate students by giving them a taste of what aviation and aerospace engineering is all about. These STEM events also get the students talking to people who are working directly in STEM industries.
Many students may never have the opportunity outside of the STEM program to become acquainted with aviation and aerospace technology.
To provide additional insight into aviation, U.S. Rep. Stevan Pearce was on board to speak to students about his personal experience flying aircraft and encourage them to enter into a STEM field job.
“We want to stress the importance of the STEM subjects, if you’re going to do anything exciting in life like aviation you’re going to have to have a back ground for it,” said Pearce, the congressman from New Mexico’s 2nd district. “We’re just here to fill [children] with enthusiasm for the future.
Holloman’s 49th Wing commander Col. Houston R. Cantwell was excited that Holloman was able to host the STEM career expo this year. The expo was held at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M. for the past four years.
“Holloman Air Force Base has a long history of supporting the community of Alamogordo and this is just another way that we are reaching out to try to share our experiences. Our professionals are reaching out, this is an opportunity for the children of Alamogordo to come out and speak with the Airmen and learn about opportunities that exist both within the Air Force as well as outside the Air Force,” said Cantwell, a senior pilot with more than 400 combat hours. “I am excited that our base was able to host this event and hopefully aid in shaping the lives of some of our young students in the local community”