The collaboration is designed to help K-12 educators better understand the quality and vast array of career opportunities available to students who have math and science skills required by Orange County manufacturers.

SANTA ANA, Calif., Jan. 21, 2014 -- Science@OC today announced a three-year partnership with UBM Canon's Southern California Advanced Manufacturing Trade Show at the Anaheim Convention Center next month.

The collaboration is designed to help K-12 educators better understand the quality and vast array of career opportunities available to students who have math and science skills required by Orange County manufacturers. The program is a part of a long term approach to address a chronic challenge faced by Orange County manufacturers: finding qualified workers.

"Science@OC is using a grant from the UBM Foundation to send 20 middle school educators from six Orange County school districts to the exposition and conference," said Science@OC Executive Director Sue Neuen. "Educators will attend a high level overview of manufacturing, take a guided tour of the exhibit hall and discuss how to best share these experiences with students and their parents. We believe that educators need to start promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education early to inspire students to be qualified for high paying jobs for the next generation of local manufacturing workers."

Scheduled for February 11-13, the Southern California Advanced Manufacturing Trade Show is the largest comprehensive manufacturing exposition and professional development conference on the West Coast, and is an ideal location to provide the connection between educators and manufacturers. The event attracts more than 30,000 participants and includes more than 2,000 exhibits of equipment, products and services in manufacturing, packaging, design, 3D printing, software, robotics, plastics, factory automation, etc. It serves medical device, food, chemical, electronics, cosmetics, aerospace/aviation and many other industries located in Southern California.

Admission to the expo hall is free for qualified manufacturing industry professionals with pre-registration. More information on the trade show can be located here.

About Science@OC

Science@OC aims to develop scientifically literate preschool through 12th grade students in Orange County by assisting districts with resources, and teachers with tools to educate and inspire students to pursue science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers.

Science@OC works with schools and districts in Orange County, CA to improve science education, prepare students for STEM careers, particularly in science and engineering, and engage local, state and national organizations and networks to support science education.

Science@OC http://www.scienceoc.org

Sue Neuen: sue.neuen@scienceoc.org

About UBM Canon

UBM Canon is the leading producer of trade events and media brands that support the flow of information, commerce, and innovation in the world's $3 trillion advanced, technology-based manufacturing sector, including the medical device, packaging, design engineering, process technology, automation, electronics, quality control, and plastics processing segments.