IEEE GLOBECOM 2015, the premier event dedicated to driving innovation in nearly every aspect of communications, recently hosted 28 VEX robotics students and their teachers at its 58th annual event held December 6 – 10 in San Diego, California. Representing the STEM program within San Diego’s Sweetwater Union High School District (SUHSD), the students spent their visit exploring the exhibits and innovations of leading technology companies, discussing career opportunities with senior corporate executives and attending sessions highlighting next wave communications.

“This was an exceptional experience for our robotics students,” says Sandra Hodge, an SUHSD core alternative education teacher. “IEEE GLOBECOM 2015 provided an ideal forum for helping our teens understand the fun of science and the many scientific wonders that can be accomplished in a team environment. It also reinforced the mission of achieving a better world through the humanity of science. Our entire group deeply appreciated the warmth and insights provided by the many scientists, researchers and communications professionals who took the time to meet with us and answer our questions throughout the afternoon.”

Themed Connecting All Through Communications, IEEE GLOBECOM 2015 consisted of nearly 3,000 scientists and industry professionals attending 1,500 presentations exploring technologies ranging from e-Health, Internet of Things (IoT) and game theory to power-line, satellite, space, green and social networking communications. The SUHSD students began their stay by touring the demonstrations of companies like Huawei, National Instruments, Toshiba, Nokia, Intel, Macerc and Technion in the conference hall, while receiving career and professional advice from corporate representatives. Afterwards, the students were invited to attend the executive forum on “Data Center Networking & Cloud Computing” as well as “Lightning Talks,” a lively, informal presentation of five-minute talks on timely communications and humanitarian topics.

“I was fascinated with the unlimited creativity exhibited by the demonstrations and the sessions,” explains Demian Martinez, a senior at Eastlake High School and president of the award winning TitanBOT FIRST Robotics Team. “It’s amazing to witness the innovations at the creative stage that will likely be in our hands within the next five years. This includes continually striving to overcome the limitations that help turn the impossible into realities. I plan to study engineering and business in college next year. IEEE GLOBECOM provided a strong understanding of not only the nature of technical advancement, but the many societal and professional benefits that can be realized through a successful career in science.”

“IEEE GLOBECOM showed that there is definitely a place for woman engineers,” offers Hannah Drake, a 7thgrader at Granger Junior High School. “The demand and opportunities are growing for female technical experts. This conference helped me better understand the global benefits of the many achievements that were on display and the role women are currently playing worldwide in these engineering advances. It was especially rewarding to hear the encouragement and advice of professionals, who will hopefully one day be my colleagues and peers.”

IEEE GLOBECOM 2015 concluded December 10 after five full days of workshops, tutorials, keynotes, panel discussions and technical symposia detailing the entire communications spectrum ranging from mobile cloud computing and green ICT to 5G cellular and IoT. For more information about IEEE GLOBECOM 2015 including program highlights, please visit http://globecom2015.ieee-globecom.org. All website visitors are also invited to network with colleagues and peers, as well as share their professional experiences through the conference’s Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter pages.

In addition, planning for IEEE GLOBECOM 2016 to be held 4-8 December 2016 in Washington, DC is currently underway. Please visit www.ieee-globecom.org/2016 for ongoing conference and program updates.