Atlanta CARES is excited to launch its five year STEM Education Awareness Campaign and to celebrate the campaign, the kick-off event, STEMFest 2012, will be held at Georgia Tech University, 350 Ferst St, Atlanta, Ga., on Saturday, November 24, 2012, from 9:00am – 3:00pm. Atlanta CARES, a 501c3 organization, is an affiliate of the National CARES Mentoring Movement founded by former editor in chief of Essence Magazine, Susan Taylor. The purpose of the STEM Campaign is to provide awareness and education to youth and the overall community about their educational choices in areas arising from STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) careers. Playing host to 200 local middle and high school students, the event will feature a keynote speaker, innovative and interactive workshops, and a robotics presentation.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the demand for professionals in the STEM fields is projected to dramatically outpace the supply over the coming decades, with over two million anticipated STEM job openings by 2018 and a serious shortage of qualified college graduates to fill them. A free event, the STEMfest 2012’s goal is to provide information and create excitement about the available careers in STEM with the hopes of re-directing the youth's focus to STEM careers and also alleviating this shortage in the near future. The workshops will be facilitated by STEM professionals including entrepreneurs, college professors, authors, and artists. Many of the STEM professionals will volunteer to serve as mentors for youth pursuing STEM careers.

Along with Georgia Tech University and the National Society of Black Engineers, STEMfest 2012 partners include City of Atlanta, The Atlanta Housing Authority, Operation Hope, A.D. King Foundation, Atlanta Public Schools, APEX Museum, Level Blend Comm, The National Black Arts Festival, Buzz Brand Marketing, 100 Black Men, Publix, Whole Foods, SMART Academy, AYA Academy of Excellence , Project SYNCERE, Kingdom Fortunes Development Group, Blick Art Studio

For more information on STEMfest 2012 or Atlanta Cares Mentoring, please contact Barbara Guillory, Program Manager, 404 219-6400 or levelblend@yahoo.com  or Brenda Coleman, Executive Director, 770 316-3487 or brendacoleman_atlantacares@yahoo.com