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REAL TIME WITH... IPC APEX EXPO 2023 SHOW & TELL MAGAZINE I I-CONNECT007 103 Andrea Schafer, principal human resources business partner of the Integrated Defense Systems Division at CAES, touched on the benefits of a strong STEM education: "STEM education plays a crucial role in achieving a better, more sustainable future and improving the lives of people around the world." The Design Track, led by Altium, provided students the opportunity to learn about PCB design as a viable career choice and show- cased the 2022 PCBeTheChange International Student Design Competition winning teams in partnership with Altium and Arduino. The winning teams of local high schools were in attendance and participated in the track and day's activities. For more information, please visit the Scholarships and Awards page on the IPCEF website. Rea Callendar, vice president for Altium Educa- tion, said, "Altium believes a sustainable future depends on the creativity and vision of the next generation of innovators. By providing free Altium Education and Upverter curricu- lum along with professional PCB design tools to students across the globe, we are uphold- ing our commitment to welcoming emerging engineers from all backgrounds into the design community and empowering them to make a difference." The incredible willingness of industry rep- resentatives and IPC staff members to vol- unteer their time in the various activities gave true meaning to Helen Dyer's words: "Volunteerism is the voice of the people put into action. These actions shape and mold the present into a future of which we can all be proud." Thank you to each and every per- son who volunteered during the soldering activity, roundtable career discussion, design activity, and the students' IPC APEX EXPO show floor tour. Looking back on the growth and impact of the STEM Outreach Event in San Diego is a big motivator to start planning for the next event in Anaheim next year. S&T Charlene Gunter du Plessis is senior director of the IPC Education Foundation.