The Mobile Launch Pad for Critical Careers bus, a mobile laboratory that visits communities across the state and provides students with opportunities to explore STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) careers, is scheduled to visit Southern Vance High School on Wednesday, March 7, and Northern Vance High School on Thursday, March 8.
The Launch Pad bus will be available beginning at 8:30 a.m. each of the two days for students and community residents to go through and view the information offered on STEM careers. The bus will be parked at each of the schools throughout the two days until 6 p.m. Visits to the bus are free and open to the public.
The traveling bus offers scientific demonstrations, unique activities and experiments that introduce visitors to educational and rewarding career paths in areas including aerospace, advanced manufacturing, energy and green technology, health care and life science. The Mobile Launch Pad also can host visiting scientists, industry experts and instructors who can explain real life activities. Equipment used in industries, videos and games used for training workers and hands-on short experiments offer information on a variety of professions and career choices found throughout the state.
The bus and its programs are supported through grant funding from the Duke Energy Foundation.