Big Techs Day in Longview, TX: Why STEM Career Exploration is Essential for East Texas Kids

If you’ve wondered why STEM education is so important for kids, especially kids from small towns, this is the post for you. This post highlights the top five ways, Big Techs, a city-wide STEM education event in Longview, Texas, provides kids and parents with an opportunity to explore  future careers in their community. 

If you've ever wondered about the importance of STEM education for small town kids, the annual Big Techs Day event in Longview, Texas is the perfect answer. This community-focused event is a vital opportunity for career exploration, particularly for families in East Texas and surrounding areas like Marshall, Texas and Gregg County. By allowing children to explore real-world applications of science and math, Big Techs Day provides a tangible connection between school lessons and rewarding job opportunities available right in their backyard. This initiative is key to encouraging local youth to pursue manufacturing careers without having to leave the region.  

My family has lived in the same place for the last five generations - on the same pile of dirt and rocks. This town is roughly 30 minutes from Longview and usually my family members do not usually work far away from our hometown. Some family members drive to Longview, Texas while others drive to Marshall, Texas for work. This event is important for our family because we are able to help our daughter explore different careers available in the community.

Each year, several businesses in the Gregg County community open the doors of their facilities to the public. These tours are important for the children in the community because they will remember their experience at the facility when they explore future careers and job opportunities. 

During Big Tech’s Day, members of the public experience the following: a) guided tours, b) question and answer sessions, c) information about careers in the field, d) giveaways, and e) job opportunities.

1) Guided Tours are the BEST - especially since they enable you to view a company from the perspective of an employee. Kids and parents enjoy this experience. Kids can see neat BIG machinery, vehicles, and tools. Parents can discover more about the facility they drive past every day. Events like Big Tech help us maintain a connection with the companies in our area - like Texas Eastman and Holt Cat Systems.

2) Questions and Answer Sessions -  During these sessions, kids have the ability to ask questions about the items they see and hear. The adult participants had a great time participating and answering questions as well. Holt Cat Systems rolled out the yellow carpet for the individuals who chose to view their facility. My daughter always remembers her visit when she sees a large Holt Cat machine.

3) Pathways to Future Careers - During our visit to Texas Eastman, my daughter had a great opportunity to learn about the different young people who travel from across the region to work at the company after college. She was able to see the connection from a college program (major) to an actual career. This is something that I have not been able to teach her. 

4) Giveaways - Participants also enjoyed the various giveaways and snacks provided by the Big Techs companies. I did not realize that the paper bags available at several large big box retailers were reinforced with material from Texas Eastman. This tour provided education for parents and their children. 

5) Realizing the Importance of Science and Math in School - After the event, we were able to have a great conversation on the way back home. We talked about how each of these companies were focused on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Also, I highlighted the importance of learning during her classes at school if she ever wants to work at these amazing manufacturing companies.

The Big Techs Day experience is very engaging, featuring popular activities like guided tours where kids can see real big machinery and vehicles up close. Companies like Texas Eastman and Holt Cat Systems open their doors, not just for a look, but for interactive sessions. The event also features important questions and answer sessions, allowing both children and parents to learn directly from industry professionals about pathways to future careers and the benefits of working locally. Attendees also enjoy various giveaways provided by the participating businesses. 

For many parents, Big Techs Day is a crucial part of their parenting tips for raising career-aware children. The event often serves as a natural springboard for discussions about college visits and regional educational opportunities. While in the area, your family can explore stellar local institutions like Letourneau University, Panola College, and Kilgore College, all of which offer excellent STEM programs. For our Weekends Count Family, we strives to introduce our child to educational experiences during the weekend to help them connect the skills they are learning in the classroom to their future careers.

Have you participated in Big Techs in Longview, Texas or a similar event in your community? Look for this event next year and plan a trip to Longview, Texas to experience Big Techs! 

During Big Tech’s Day, you can experience the following: a) guided tours, b) question and answer sessions, c) information about careers in the field, d) giveaways, and e) job opportunities. You can also explore local colleges who offer stellar STEM programs, Letourneau University, Panola College, or Kilgore College during your visit. Our family always strives to schedule a college visit for our middle schooler anytime we can!

Sincerely,

Weekends Count Magazine & The Weekends Count Family

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