SOUTHFIELD — Detroit area civic and business leaders will meet at Lawrence Technological University for the Microsoft YouthSpark Connection program in collaboration with Brookings Institution and the Detroit Regional Chamber. The event will be held Tuesday, to discuss ways to get more young people involved and active in the STEM subjects, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
According to research by the Brookings Institution, many young people struggle to find work in the U.S. labor force at a time when thousands of positions remain unoccupied because job applicants do not have adequate education in STEM fields. The program examines the most current research on youth, education, and opportunities in STEM education and labor market.
Detroit Free Press business columnist Tom Walsh will moderate the program. Participants will include Skillman Foundation CEO Tonya Allen; City Year Detroit Executive Director Penny Bailer; General Manager of Heartland District Microsoft John Fikany; Byron Garrett, director, innovative schools, Microsoft; Shelley Stern Grach, director, citizenship and public affairs, central region, Microsoft; Link Howard, president and CEO, Powerlink; and Martha Ross, fellow, Metropolitan Policy Program, Brookings Institution.
The event is free and open to the public. The program will be held 7:50 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. the UTLC Gallery on Lawrence Tech Campus, 21000 West Ten Mile Rd, Southfield.
To register visit rsvpportal.com/microsoft/youthsparkconnections/FY14/detroit.html
