On a day in the Salt Lake City School District, about 50 high school students were invited to Human Innovation Day, an event aimed at exposing them to potential STEM careers. Hosted by the district, the Salt Lake Education Foundation, and Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall’s Tech Lake City initiative, the event introduced students to Utah’s growing life science industry.
The students began their day by visiting ARUP laboratories for reference laboratory testing in hospitals and health centers. Next, they toured Recursion’s biotechnology facility at the Gateway. Afterward, they had discussions with professional scientists and university students studying various STEM fields.
The goal of this event was to inspire students and show them different paths they could take in the world of science. Brian Pantle, a project manager from the department of economic development for Salt Lake City, emphasized that seeing faces like theirs in the industry was crucial for inspiring students to achieve their full potential in the future.
Mayor Mendenhall expressed her desire to grow Salt Lake City’s tech industry not only for economic reasons but also for providing fulfilling career opportunities for young people. She encouraged them to think creatively and consider pursuing careers in STEM fields. The event targeted freshmen and sophomores who were planning their futures and exploring new ideas that could contribute positively to society.
Overall, Human Innovation Day was an excellent opportunity for these high school students to learn more about STEM careers while being inspired by professionals working in this field. It gave them a better understanding of what they could achieve if they worked hard enough towards their goals.