Frederick Community College will host seventh-grade students from across the county for a conference to explore STEM careers on May 23.

More than 1,000 students from 16 schools will take part in the 10th Annual FCPS Future Link STEM Career Conference. Students will have the opportunity to learn from current professionals in various STEM fields including information technology, biotechnology, manufacturing, engineering, fire service, and more.

“During Future Link, seventh graders hear directly from experienced professionals in all areas of STEM who show them the connection between STEM learning in the classroom and its real world application,” said Lisa Freel, Director of Admissions. “Exposing students to STEM-related career fields when they are in middle school gives them the opportunity to find their passion early on and can help them decide what career field they may be interested in pursuing.”

Students will attend breakout sessions taught by FCC professors as well as professionals from NASA, the National Institutes of Health, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Northrop Grumman Technology Services, the Maryland Park Service, Catoctin Wildlife Preserve and Zoo, and more. Classes will cover a variety of topics such as cybersecurity awareness, video gaming, robotic surgery, making medicines, forensic microscopy, working with viruses, and engineering opportunities. 

County Executive Jan Gardner will be on hand to present a proclamation in honor of the 10th year of Future Link. County Executive Gardner and FCPS Superintendent Dr. Terry Alban will give remarks during the event. 

Future Link is made possible through a collaboration between FCC, Frederick County Public Schools, Frederick County Workforce Services, Frederick Chamber of Commerce, and the Frederick County Health Department.

FCC offers many STEM-related majors and programs, including bioprocessing technology, cybersecurity, information technology, and gaming and simulation programs. There is also an Associate of Science STEM degree designed for students who plan to go on to a four-year school and major in one of the traditional STEM areas of biology, chemistry, math, and engineering.