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DIDI Announces Science, Technology, Engineering And Math Event

Jehuu Caulcrick, Dream It Do It Western New York coordinator, and Justin Hanft, Chautauqua County Education Coalition director, are proud to announce the 2017 STEM Wars event slated for March 15. The event is presented by Dream It Do It Western New York and NYSTEEA, and will be hosted by Jamestown Community College at the Physical Education Complex. P-J photo by Katrina Fuller

On one special day a year, science, technology, engineering and math take over the JCC Physical Education Complex for an extravaganza.

This year, Jehuu Caulcrick will be joining in the fun for the annual STEM Wars event on March 15 as the new Dream It Do It Western New York coordinator. Caulcrick said the event is sure to be exciting and is thrilled to be working with Dream It Do It. Starting on Jan. 1, he said this will be his first major event in the position.

“I’m excited to have the opportunity to still work with kids and give back to the community,” Caulcrick said. He said he is also excited to help clear away the stigma surrounding factory work and other such fields.

Caulcrick, a former professional football player, said he will still be coaching football, but is glad to be a part of the Dream It Do It team.

STEM Wars is an educational and technology-based competition for middle and high school students that focuses on science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The event is slated to begin at 9 a.m. and end at 1 p.m., and a career fair will follow the event from 1:30-2:30 p.m. that will be open to the public. It is presented by Dream It Do It Western New York and NYSTEEA, and will be hosted by Jamestown Community College at the Physical Education Complex.

“As we like to coin it, this is like the Super Bowl of STEM,” Caulcrick said. “This is the opportunity for kids who are in the shadows a little bit to excel and shine.”

Caulcrick said Dream It Do It is encouraging as many schools as possible to sign up, and is currently still looking for businesses to get involved. Currently, 600 students have signed up for the competition.

“The goal is for around 800,” he said, adding it is an opportunity for local businesses and manufacturers as well. “It’s the manufacturers opportunity to be a human commercial. it’s an eye opening experience, and you’re hearing it straight from the source itself.”

Justin Hanft, Chautauqua County Education Coalition director, said Adecco will be hosting an interview competition which is new to the event this year. Several events will be available to students, including Short Track CO2 Car Racing, a bridge competition, a catapult design event, cardboard furniture and more.

Hanft said it is important for local businesses and manufacturers to get involved in events such as these due to the shrinking interest in manufacturing and other fields, as well as the fact that many currently in the workforce will be retiring in the next few years. In order to foster interest in these areas, he said it is important for manufacturers and businesses to get involved with the youth.

“Unless it is engrained in (the students), and if those conversations aren’t being hand, then we are seeing those kids aren’t taking those classes and aren’t getting into those fields,” Hanft said. “Now, it takes a community to drive young kids to certain occupations. That’s why employers need to be involved now because it’s not something that can be solved overnight.”

For more information on Dream It Do It or to sign up for STEM Wars, visit www.didiwny.com.

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