[SatNews] Los Angeles Air Force Base hosted a gathering of more than 150 business persons and educators for a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) to Career Symposium, January 29. The theme of the symposium was "Preparing Today's Youth for a Bright Future" and it was geared towards encouraging businesses and schools to take an active role in STEM education to encourage students to pursue careers in science and technology.

Jan Vogel, South Bay Workforce Investment Board chief executive officer; Suzanne Fuentes, El Segundo City Council member and Lt. Gen. Tom Sheridan, Space and Missile Systems Center commander, welcomed the participants to the event.

"We have to enhance the science and technology enterprise through our youth now so that the United States can successfully compete, prosper and be secure in the global community of the 21st century," said Dr. Wanda Austin, The Aerospace Corporation president and CEO.

Breakout sessions focused on: Healthcare, Biomedical, Bioscience and Medical Technology; Manufacturing, Engineering, Aerospace and Information Technology; and Transportation, Energy, Utilities, Construction and Environmental Technology.