More than 700 students from Central and South Georgia came to Houston County High School Friday to learn that science can be fun.
The Georgia Department of Education held one of three STEM festivals at the high school. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.
STEM Coordinator for the
Georgia Department of Education Gilda Lyon says the program encourages students to pursue education and careers in science, technology, engineering and math.
Georgia Power participated in Friday's event for students, showing them how static electricity forms.
Technology companies, colleges, aquariums and more organizations came to the STEM Festival.
Lyon said in the next decade, the Department of Labor estimates the U.S. will be short of engineers and trained nurses.
She said they want to propel students into the careers that will be in demand. Lyon said, "We are trying to encourage students to pursue the science and technology, engineering and math field. We are going to be about 400,000 engineers short in the next decade and across America. We're trying to get Georgia schools to begin STEM programs."
The STEM festival will be open to the public Saturday from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.
It's at Houston County High School on Highway 96 in Warner Robins.
The event is free. At 2:30 p.m., there will be a "Giant Mentos Geyser Launch." Organizers say beware that participants could get wet.