On Friday, October 7, NextFlex welcomed two engineering classes from Independence High School in San Jose to learn about flexible and additively manufactured electronics and to talk with NextFlex engineers about education pathways that lead to challenging careers in manufacturing. The students toured the Technology Hub and were able to get hands-on at the demonstrator tables where they were challenged to think about new applications for flexible devices. During a panel discussion with the NextFlex engineers, students were encouraged to engage with what they like – to try coding with open-source DIY kits or to join a club where they can meet like-minded students who can be a good source of ideas and support. It’s the trying and course-correcting that will ultimately lead them to what challenges and interests them in a future career.
Concluding the visit, Dr. Malcolm Thompson shared his story with the students, telling them that their journey is just about to begin and that they shouldn’t worry too much about making perfect choices about their future. Because no one knows what the future might hold, the best thing students can do to prepare is to be open to new possibilities and to try the things that interest them.
