florida.HIGH.TECH florida.HIGH.TECH 2015 | Page 8

Corridor briefs stemCONNECT: Bringing the lab into the Classroom For many young students, learning basic in diverse high tech companies and can explore cool jobs they might not have algebra or the periodic table can seem known existed. anything but relevant to their future. To help teachers connect those principles to One such session hosted by The Corridor brought the magic of modeling, exciting, real-world careers in STEM (Science, simulation and training to a science classroom at Indian Trails Middle School in Technology, Engineering and Math), the Florida Flagler County. The STEM expert speaker, Angela Alban, president of Orlando- High Tech Corridor Council’s workforce initiative based SIMETRI and current chair of the National Center for Simulation, created developed a program called stemCONNECT a true hands-on experience by not only demonstrating how the company Experts in the Classroom. develops realistic devices for medical training, but also sending the students simulated glass and life-like trauma tattoos of injuries used in emergency drills stemCONNECT is a resource available to for first responders. Alban spoke to the class via webcam and fielded questions teachers that brings engaging corporate on how computer science blends with medical science to create simulation and academic experts in STEM fields into technology for training. the classroom through an interactive video conference. Now, a research lab, high tech As the program continues to grow, stemCONNECT will offer a wider range of equipment, demonstrations and more can topics from expert speakers in every discipline. The Corridor is committed to come to middle and high school students cultivating tomorrow’s workforce and is proud to partner with school districts instead of packing up the class for a field trip. and companies to introduce our thriving high tech industries to our future Students have the opportunity to learn how the scientists, technologists and innovators. fundamentals of math and science are applied For more information, visit www.flstemconnect.com. Powerful FLVEC Database Expands its Reach Since it was launched several years ago, The specific information such as tax guidelines, human resources references, Corridor’s Florida Virtual Entrepreneur Center permit requirements and more. (FLVEC) has helped thousands of business owners and entrepreneurial-minded innovators “We’re sharing these online business resources with our statewide partners that in all 67 counties of the state of Florida find the are already serving entrepreneurs who want this kind of data,” said Michael resources they need all in one location: flvec. Zaharios, FLVEC program manager. “The more opportunities we have to get com. Now, this powerful database of more this information in front of entrepreneurs, the better. Not only are we then than 900 business resources is expanding its serving the entreprene