Tech Fest For K-12 Students Coming To Hybla Valley Community Center

HYBLA VALLEY, VA — Fairfax County Supervisor Rodney Lusk, together with George Mason University President Gregory Washington and the Workforce Innovation and Skills Hub, is hosting a free STEAM Fest for K-12 students on Saturday at the Hybla Valley Community Center.

Saturday’s event follows the Oct. 8 grand opening of the Workforce Innovation and Skills Hub, or W.I.S.H., a center located inside the community center that aims to expand job opportunities for residents living along the Richmond Highway corridor.

Nearly 360 students have registered for the event so far, and more than 60 volunteers will be on site. The STEAM Fest is one of the many upcoming events for southeast Fairfax County residents, including young people, to gain expertise in emerging technology and employment opportunities.

“Providing the next generation of the workforce access to emerging technologies is critical in building their interest towards high-paying tech or science-related careers,” Lusk, Franconia District supervisor, said in a statement.

“The S.T.E.A.M Fest is an opportunity to expose our local youth to technologies that are typically out of reach for those located in the Richmond Highway corridor, Springfield, and other communities in Southeast Fairfax,” Lusk said.

STEAM stands for Science, Tech, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics.

READ ALSO: Job Training Hub To Open At Hybla Valley Community Center

In May, Fairfax County held a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the opening of Hybla Valley Community Center. Located at 7950 Audubon Ave., the center provides recreational activities, educational workshops and programs to residents in the area west of Richmond Highway.

Fairfax County purchased the facility, originally the Mount Vernon Tennis and Racquet Club, in May 2020. The county then made several improvements to the facility before it opened.

The community center is also home to W.I.S.H., which is operated by Melwood, an employment service nonprofit organization with more than 60 years of experience in the region.

Melwood will be supported by a local technology and problem-solving company, Building Momentum, which specializes in technology and skills-based training. Building Momentum was co-founded by Albert Vega, who announced last month that he plans to seek the Democratic nomination in 2023 for the Springfield District seat on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.

Residents interested in attending the STEAM Fest can register for free on the event website. Residents interested in volunteering for the event can register on a separate website.

The STEAM Fest will take place on Saturday, Oct. 15 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Hybla Valley Community, Center, 7950 Audubon Ave., Alexandria.

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