More than 350,000 attendees to visit Washington, D.C. event

SME is proud to be an official partner of the 4th USA Science & Engineering Festival, April 16-17, 2016 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington, D.C. On April 15, a special “Sneak Peek Friday” previews the event for schools, homeschoolers, military families and the press. During these three days more than 350,000 attendees will fill the halls to enjoy presentations from the most inspiring science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) professionals and teachers in the nation. Exhibits, booths and hands-on demonstrations compliment the large stage presentations.

“SME is pleased to be participating in the largest celebration of STEM in the country,” said SME Executive Director David L. Kanagy. “The opportunity to reach a large number of young people with our message about the potential for careers in the mining and minerals industries is unprecedented.”

The Minerals Education Coalition (MEC) will be one of the more than 1,000 professional, scientific and engineering societies, universities, government agencies, high tech corporations and STEM outreach and community organizations participating in the exposition. MEC staff and local volunteers will be at the booth to talk to the public about the importance of mining and minerals in everyday life, and the myriad of exciting careers the industry offers ranging from vocational to technical.

Designed to inspire the next generation of engineers and thought-leaders, the festival is a free event, open to the public, and features more than 3,000 hands-on and interactive presentations and demonstrations intended to encourage curious minds to get involved with science and engineering. For more information on the Festival, visit www.usasciencefestival.org.

As the premier educational program of the SME Foundation, MEC designs and distributes K-12 education and public outreach materials promoting an awareness and appreciation of the mining and minerals industries in everyday life. For more information, please visit www.MineralsEducationCoalition.org.