Georgia Cyber Innovation and Training Center hosts first middle school STEMfest

Isabella Moody
·2 min read

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – Students in the CSRA are taking a look into possible future technology careers.

More than 100 students visited the Georgia Cyber Innovation and Training Center for the first middle school STEMfest event.

“I feel that it’s very important to hit these middle schoolers early and get them excited about the opportunities in cyber security and IT,” said Todd Gay, Director of Outreach and Engagement at the Georgia Cyber Innovation and Training Center.

The students played capture the flag, talked with vendors on the job, practiced with play dough, and did an escape room. Those activities deal with different aspects of the STEM and Cyber fields.

“Schools around the state, you know, aren’t exposed to STEM, cyber,” said Eric Toler, Executive Director of the Georgia Cyber Innovation and Training Center. “So, it’s hard to aspire to be something you have never seen before. And so, we want to bring them all in and introduce them, not only to the activities but to the people that are in this career field.”

They want all students to know that STEM and cyber are available and anyone can do them.

“We have 100 students here today, and they are from Richmond County, Columbia County, Aiken County, and Glasscock County. We have private schools and magnet schools. It’s just a great mix of students who are here today to enjoy this awesome Cyber Georgia STEMfest,” said Gay.

They also want to make the career field more diverse and break the typical stigma in the STEM and Cyber fields.

“We want everybody to have the opportunity, not only because it’s the right thing for the student but also because we need them in the workforce in the future. So, it’s important to bring everybody in, get them exposed, get them excited, and then continue to follow up with programs as they go through high school,” said Toler.

Teachers are glad to give their students this opportunity.

“We want to make sure that we introduce our students to different types of technology that are available,” said Shikara Willis, Langford Middle School Teacher. “The different career paths available to them. So that once they go out into the workforce, they will know the different avenues they’re able to take.

This event is the only one of its kind in the Augusta region. The next STEMfest for high school students will be in September.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.