HARTFORD, Conn. — The event began in 2017 and now, six years later, the ‘Student to Manufacturers Connection Fair attracts about 1,000 middle and high school students from across Connecticut for the annual event.
Essentially, the state plays matchmaker and invites vendors from high-tech manufacturing companies like Pratt & Whitney, Electric Boat, and Sikorsky to engage with students about what the future could hold for them.
State Representative Liz Linehan (D-Cheshire/Hamden/Wallingford) has been a leading force behind the Connection Fair since it began.
“The overall objective really is to educate teachers, parents, and students about what they need to do in middle school and high school and prepare themselves for a career in technology where the jobs will always be there… It’s a growing industry that really needs talent," Linehan said.
The Student to Manufacturers Connection Fair also provides a chance for robotics teams – that often have the most tech-savvy students – to showcase their latest and greatest robots.
Standing by an intricate robot called “Kickstand”, Suffield High School senior Marcus Gibbs said, “We like to show off our robot, that’s a big part of the fun.” Killingly High School senior and robotics team member Matthew Sprouse said, “This gives everyone an opportunity to show what they know, what they have learned and what they have managed to accomplish over the past year.”
Linehan added that the Connection Fair can serve as a launchpad for a career in manufacturing.
“If they like to play video games, if they like virtual reality, if they like to just build things then advance manufacturing is likely for them," Linehan said.
Jimmy Altman is a reporter at FOX61 News. He can be reached at jaltman@fox61.com. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
---
Have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newstips@fox61.com
----
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iTunes: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.
Steam Live on FIRE TV: Search ‘FOX61’ and click ‘Get’ to download.