Free Microsoft STEM conference for secondary students Feb. 27

More than 1,000 HISD middle and high school students, as well as educators and parents, are expected to attend a free STEM-education conference presented by Microsoft at Chávez High School (8501 Howard, 77017) on Saturday, Feb. 27.

Microsoft YouthSpark is a global initiative designed to impact more than 300 million young people across the country through increased access to technology education and job-skills training.

Microsoft and a host of partners will present various STEM activities, including engineering-design pathway courses, Minecraft Suite outfitted with Xbox, robotics, game and app coding, and much more. Student sessions include “Identity Leadership: A Nine-Step Success Process;” “Engineering Challenge: Tower Structure Challenge;” “Intro to Coding and Robotics;” and “Career and College: A Planning Session for Today’s Middle and High School Student.”

Teachers and parents will have the opportunity to interact, connect, and learn about trends and pedagogical technologies that are transforming the educational landscape. Teacher/parent sessions include “The Four Skills of the 21st Century Learner;” “Drones in the Classroom;” and “Partnering for Success.”

Leaders and practitioners from industry, academia, and the non-profit community will lead discussions focused on student success and empowerment. For more information and to register, please visit http://bit.ly/20XIP0C .