Exploring Science and Shaping the Future: Human Innovation Day in Salt Lake City

On a day dedicated to exploring the world of science, around 50 high school students from Salt Lake City School District took part in Human Innovation Day. The event, organized by the district, the Salt Lake Education Foundation, and Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall’s Tech Lake City initiative, offered these students an exclusive look into potential STEM career paths.

The day commenced with a visit to ARUP laboratories, where students got an up-close glimpse of reference laboratory testing for hospitals and health centers. They were then escorted to Recursion’s biotechnology facility at the Gateway, where they learned more about the life science industry in Utah.

Following the tours, the students engaged in discussions with professional scientists and university students studying various STEM fields. These interactions provided them with valuable insights into career options and internships available in this rapidly growing field.

Brian Pantle, a project manager at the department of economic development for Salt Lake City, emphasized the importance of seeing faces like theirs in the industry. He urged students to envision what they could achieve in their future careers and encouraged them to explore different paths within science.

Mayor Mendenhall expressed her vision of growing the tech industry in Salt Lake City not only for economic reasons but also to offer fulfilling career opportunities for young minds. She encouraged students to think creatively and consider pursuing careers in STEM fields that could contribute positively to society. The event aimed at inspiring freshmen and sophomores to plan ahead and dream big while exploring new ideas that could shape the scientific community.

Overall, Human Innovation Day served as a catalyst for these high school students’ journey towards fulfilling their potential in STEM fields.