11/6/2009 9:30:02 AM

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By Elliot Mann

Post-Bulletin, Rochester MN 

Astronaut Bernard Harris has logged almost 200 hours in space, completed 129 orbits of Earth and traveled more than 2.9 million miles.

	Forum of future careers What is STEM? STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and math. Why should students care? Employment experts estimate that STEM-related careers in Minnesota will increase 20 percent to 33 percent during the next 10 years. Where can people find more information? Go to www.getstemmn.com, a Web site created by the Minnesota Department of Education.

But without science, technology, engineering and math, he would have never gotten off the ground.

"In the 21st century, technology is key. If you're not familiar with technology, engineering, math and science, you're going to be left behind," said Harris, who also served as keynote speaker at the second annual STEM summit.

More than 1,500 area students on Thursday attended the summit, an event geared toward promoting careers in science, technology, engineering and math.

In the next decade, experts project, there will be a 20 percent to 33 percent increase in scientific and technical careers in Minnesota. State employment officials estimate that 18 out of the 20 fastest growing jobs will be tied to science, technology, engineering and math.

The range of careers was on display through 50 exhibits on everything from the basics of flight, as taught by staff from Rochester International Airport, to tracing a crime scene using forensic science with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Most of the exhibits involved a hands-on activity.

"It's amazing the kinds of things you find out that a human can achieve," Kellogg Middle School eighth-grader Mariam Salama said.

Inspiring role models

As hundreds of students paced around the displays, groups of children surrounded Harris, asking for photos and autographs. He recalled what pulled him into science: Watching Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin blast off into space, headed for the moon.

"When I saw that, I was like every American kid, every kid in the world. I wanted to become an astronaut," said Harris, who in 1995 became the first black astronaut to walk in space.

While students snapped Harris's photo with their cell phones, he reminded them about the technology sitting in their palms. He asked if they wanted to be involved in developing the next generation of cell phones or mobile devices.

"All the cool stuff we appreciate, like Xbox, TV, came from science," Kellogg Middle School eighth-grader Zach Benson said.

Local businesses, such as Hardcore Computer, showed off their skills, and colleges provided information.

The focus on the future wasn't lost on Kellogg Middle School eighth-grader London Maloney. She hopes to continue building a foundation in science, technology, engineering in math.

"That's where all of the good jobs are," she said.

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