In Salt Lake City, more than 50 high school students recently participated in Human Innovation Day, an event aimed at giving them a closer look at potential STEM careers. Hosted by the Salt Lake School District, the Salt Lake Education Foundation, and Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall’s Tech Lake City initiative, the event introduced students to the growing life science industry in the state.
The day began with a tour of ARUP laboratories, which offer reference laboratory testing for hospitals and health centers. Students then visited Recursion’s biotechnology facility at the Gateway. After the tours, they engaged in discussions with professional scientists and university students studying various STEM fields.
The goal of the event was to inspire students by showing them different paths they could take in the world of science. Brian Pantle, a project manager at the department of economic development for Salt Lake City, emphasized the importance of students seeing faces like theirs in the industry. He wanted to give them a vision of what they could achieve in the future.
Mayor Mendenhall expressed her desire to grow the tech industry in Salt Lake City not just for economic reasons but also to provide students with fulfilling career opportunities. She encouraged students to think creatively and consider pursuing careers in STEM fields. The event targeted freshmen and sophomores to help them plan for their futures and inspire them to explore new ideas that could contribute to the scientific community.
Overall, Human Innovation Day was a valuable experience for these high school students as they gained insight into various STEM fields and potential career paths within them. It is important for young people to have access to events like this one so that they can be inspired and motivated to pursue their passions and make a positive impact on society through science and technology.