Teachers Get Introduced to the High Tech World of Simulation at “techCAMP”

Educators learn new tools to motivate students in pursuit of high tech careers

HEATHROW, Fla. (January 21, 2008) – On January 17 and 18, math and science teachers from Hernando County ditched classes to race cars and play computer games in Orlando, all while exploring the high tech field of simulation.  At the two-day techCAMP workshop hosted by the Florida High Tech Corridor Council (FHTCC), educators got a behind-the-scenes look at how new technologies come together to create not only the latest video games on the market, but also the most advanced military training systems in the world.

As part of the Council’s techPATH initiative to promote high tech careers to middle and high school students in the region, techCAMP introduced 40 teachers to the Modeling, Simulation & Training (MS&T) industry through presentations from academic, industrial and military simulation experts.  Then the teachers grabbed the wheel as they experienced hands-on lessons about the world of simulation and its related technologies through a Driver Simulator Experience during a tour of the Orlando Science Center’s Otronicon, an event that explores the art and science of video games and digital media.

During seminars at the University of Central Florida’s (UCF) Rosen College of Hospitality Management, techCAMP featured guest speakers that provided educators with an overview and history of the MS&T industry.  Featured presenters included experts from the National Center for Simulation, UCF and the University’s Institute for Simulation and Training (IST).

In addition to simulation lessons, this techCAMP demonstrated the diverse opportunities for careers in simulation for interested students and described the education needed to fulfill various job positions within the MS&T industry.  Taking a tour through IST as well as the Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) gave the teachers a first-hand look at the kinds of companies and institutions that specialize in MS&T.

“The Modeling, Simulation & Training techCAMP provides a fun way to share information about a range of technical career fields with the educators of Florida, so they can assist students in making the best choice possible for their professional future,” said Jeff Bindell, Ph.D., director of the techPATH Educational Consortium and lecturer in physics at the University of Central Florida.  “The workshops help in our mission to cultivate tomorrow’s workforce.” 

This techCAMP is the latest of more than 40 such workshops hosted by FHTCC since 1998.  More than 1,600 educators in the Corridor’s 23-county region have participated in techCAMPs in industries such as optics and photonics, semiconductor manufacturing and MS&T. 

About FHTCC

The Florida High Tech Corridor Council (FHTCC) is an economic development initiative of the University of Central Florida (UCF), the University of South Florida (USF) and the University of Florida (UF) whose mission is to attract, retain and grow high tech industry and to help develop the workforce to support those industries in the 23-county Corridor.

A partnership involving more than 20 local and regional economic development organizations (EDOs) and 14 community colleges, the Council is co-chaired by the presidents of UCF, USF and UF.  The Council includes the presidents of two of the community colleges, the president of Florida Institute of Technology and representatives of high tech industry. 

The unique partnership has resulted in a strategic approach to high tech economic development that involves matching funds research, workforce development and a marketing program leveraging governmental, EDO and corporate budgets on a regional rather than local basis.

For more information, visit www.floridahightech.com.