PARAMUS, N.J. – Joining STEM-minded peers from across the region, Bergen Community College students Abreham Mindaye and Jose Tejada presented their work on unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) to Dr. Michael Argenziano, and others, at the institution’s annual STEM C^2 Research Summit April 17. Dr. Argenziano, who performed the first robotic open-heart operation in U.S. history, served as the keynote speaker.
The conference featured more than 100 students, faculty and collaborators from Bergen, area colleges and high schools leading presentations and workshops on topics such as gasoline-to-electric motor conversions, soil microbes and advanced aircraft avionics. In total, nearly 220 people attended the conference.
Bergen’s attention to STEM careers coincides with a national focus on developing the next generation of doctors, scientists and engineers. According to the National Science Foundation, in order for the U.S. to retain its leadership role in the global economy, colleges need to graduate at least 25 percent of students with degrees in STEM.
United Water served as a title sponsor of the annual event at the College.
“United Water values our partnership with Bergen Community College and will continue to support several STEM initiatives throughout 2015,” United Water spokesperson Lori Murray said.
Bergen Community College (www.bergen.edu) based in Paramus is a public two-year coeducational college, enrolling nearly 16,000 students at locations in Paramus, the Philip J. Ciarco Jr. Learning Center in Hackensack and Bergen Community College at the Meadowlands in Lyndhurst. The College offers associate degree, certificate and continuing education programs in a variety of fields.
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