Students and their families are invited to attend the STEMtastic Day of Discovery, which will feature more than 125 exhibits all surrounding science, technology, engineering and math.

The annual STEM Convention, now in its 12th year, will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, at the Caloosa Sound Convention Center, 1275 Monroe St. The event will also have food available for purchase.

Foundation for Lee County Public Schools President and CEO Marshall Bower said when they first started the convention it was just the foundation and the School District of Lee County. A few years later, he was approached by the Edison Festival of Lights and asked if they, too, could participate.

“It made perfect sense,” Bower said, adding that Thomas Edison was all about technology, science, math and engineering.

The event typically attracts thousands of people, with one year exceeding 3,000 visitors.

“Anybody that has a child, or interested in the future should attend,” Bower said. “The highlight of the day is shining the spotlight on STEM courses available in the district and higher education.”

With an abundance of opportunities in STEM fields, the convention will highlight a pathway to a good career. It is really hard to think of a job now and in the future that does not include science, technology, engineering and math, he said.

“We invite all of the schools and the district and business partners to come in. The only request that we have asked to participate is to highlight something with science, technology, engineering and math in a hands-on kind of way. We invite all of the students in the area, whether they are district students or not. It gives them the opportunity to check everything out,” Bower said.

Students will receive a passport and as they go to someone in each STEM field. Once signed off, it will be placed in a bin for a drawing, which will be held every hour to 90 minutes.

In previous years, some of the exhibits include robots, flying technology and snakes.

“It really runs the gamut. It’s only limited by the imagination for the students, teachers and businesses who come and participate,” Bower said. “It is a wonderful event for families to come to. I am usually told thank you for having this and it gives us an idea about talking to them about their future. We want everyone to come out.”