[February 04, 2014]

Leading St. Louis Companies and Organizations Join Forces to Send STEM Soaring

MasterCard, Emerson (News - Alert) Electric, Monsanto and several other St. Louis companies and organizations are supporters of the 2014 Spirit of St. Louis Air Show & STEM Expo. The events are scheduled for May 2-4, 2014, at the Spirit of St. Louis Airport in Chesterfield. The U.S. Navy Blue Angels will headline the event.

"The companies and organizations supporting this event are tightly woven into the fabric of aviation and innovation heritage in our region and are leaders in supporting high quality education in Missouri and Illinois," said John Bales, president of the Spirit of St. Louis Air Show and STEM Expo organization, the 501c3 organization running the 3-day event. "We appreciate their support and confidence and are proud to have their names associated with this event."

"Hosting this Expo really raises the profile for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) for kids and their families in the St. Louis area," said Bales. "The power of performance aviation to inspire kids towards STEM education and careers is well known. We are supplementing this inspiration with focus on STEM skills." The event-wide STEM Expo will feature hands-on STEM activities for students of all ages, plus give students and parents the opportunity to interact with STEM professionals.

"Job opportunities in STEM fields are growing fast," said Joe Reagan, president and CEO of the St. Louis Regional Chamber. "And the Air Show and STEM Expo is an important part of our region's efforts to grow STEM education and support the growth in STEM job opportunities."

"This Exposition brings a proven, innovative model that connects parents and families to STEM pathways from education to careers," said Cynthia Kramer, president of the not-for-profit SCOPE. "We used this model most recently at the Missouri State Fair and the United States Science and Engineering Festival in Washington D.C. and will take it to the next level here in St. Louis."

A U.S. Navy Week will take place leading up to the May 2-4 event and the Veterans Village portion of the Expo will honor and celebrate those that serve and have served in the armed forces. Local educators and students will have exclusive access to the event on Friday, May 2, as they experience hands-on, interactive STEM. The event will be open to the general public on May 3-4.

MasterCard (News - Alert), Emerson and Monsanto, are joined by the Saint Louis Science Center, the United Way, Daugherty Business Solutions, the St. Louis Regional Chamber, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), SCOPE, H.E.R.O.E.S. Care, JViation, TAC Air, DoubleTree by Hilton, Hertz, Elasticity, the St. Louis County and City Governments, Landmark Sign Company, Dave Sinclair Lincoln, STL250, Joerling Trucking, Blazing Aviation, and Ranken Technical College.

Proceeds from this 501c3 event will be donated to local STEM and veteran organizations. For more information, visit www.spirit-airshow.com.

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