Latest news with #TechnologyExpo
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
ASCENT's Technology Expo aims to inspire careers in STEM fields
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Gadgets and gizmos galore, the ASCENT program hosted its third annual Technology Expo at Florida State University, Panama City, on Saturday. ASCENT stands for Advancing Science and Career Education in New Technologies. It's a $23 million program, partially funded by Triumph Gulf Coast and Florida State University, Panama City. The program is designed to build up the IT and cybersecurity workforce. Ascent built a K-12 program for students, serving eight coastal counties on the Gulf Coast that were impacted by the BP oil spill. The tech expo provides a variety of STEM activities to get kids interested in technology. They can launch a bottle rocket, play Minecraft, visit the mobile planetarium, and operate sphere bots. The activities help prepare kids for the future of artificial intelligence. Car crash turns into shooting investigation in Okaloosa County 'We all are going to rely on these kids to keep our information secure and work for the companies that we use every day. And so getting them started and getting them excited, you know, helping them to learn how to utilize A.I. appropriately,' FSU Panama City Ascent K-12 Program Manager Brianne Biddle said. 'A.I. is going to take over the world. But at the same time, you have to have somebody that knows how to speak to it because it can't do it alone. And that's one of the things that this tech expo is supposed to do. It teaches people how to utilize things like A.I., how to utilize systems engineering, how to where electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, where that fits in your day-to-day life,' FSU Panama City Ascent Program Director Duriel Crittenden said. The tech expo also showcases local integrated technology clubs. Students can show off the projects they've been working on throughout the school year, such as their self-made robots. While on campus, students can learn more about the engineering programs offered at FSU Panama City. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Free fun for kids at the 28th annual 'Kidfest'
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Something big was brewing at the Central Panhandle Fairgrounds on Saturday. The Early Education and Care Head Start program is hosting its biggest event of the year to celebrate the little ones. They held their 28th annual 'Kidfest'. Early education and care is an educational program for children that also provides comprehensive services for families. It is a day about the kiddos, with 40 different agencies providing all sorts of fun activities for the children. Program Director Janice Flowers says the event offers free fun for children. ASCENT's Technology Expo aims to inspire careers in STEM fields 'It is truly rewarding to see the smiles on our children's faces, but also the smiles on the parents' faces. Too, to see because it's not a lot of things that are being provided today for children. That's not expensive. You can walk into these gates today for free and have fun,' Early Education & Care Head Start Program Director Janice Flowers said. They were joined by law enforcement agencies, like the Panama City Fire Department, the Bay County Sheriff's Office, and the Florida Highway Patrol. The Florida Highway Patrol brought a car crash simulator machine to teach children about car safety. PanCare and the health department were also there to provide physicals and dental exams for children. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
