Hi-tech dreams and determination can start at a very young age. Just ask Vyalex Management Solutions founder Alland Leandre, organizer of the 2008 Southern Maryland Youth in Technology Summit at the College of Southern Maryland’s Leonardtown Campus Dec. 16.

 

 Al Leandre: Organizer of the first Youth in
 Technology Summit Al Leandre received the
 Black Engineer of the Year Entrepreneur award
 in 2008. He is founder and owner of Vyalex, a
 contractor specializing in Avionics Engineering
 and Program Management Services.

At the age of 3, Leandre watched as his father boarded a plane to travel from his homeland of Haiti to the United States. “I remember thinking that one day I will know how this mysterious winged tube can travel to such wonderful places. I committed myself from that point to endeavor to learn as much as I could about flight,” said Leandre.

This past year, Leandre was awarded the National Black Engineer of the Year Entrepreneur Award. Leandre wants to provide the same kind of encouragement to Southern Maryland students. “We want to inspire students to graduate high school and provide them with incentives to excel in the areas of math and science,” said Leandre. “The idea is for them to connect the dots toward a great career in technology. This event will expose students to the opportunities that await them after college in both the private sector and the military.”
 
This first-ever youth technology summit, takes place from 4 to 8 p.m. is co-sponsored by C&M Solutions, Patriots Technology Training Center, LLC and CSM, gives high school, college and middle school students a chance to explore the fields of health care, science, technology, engineering and math.

“It is essential to reach as many young students as possible to expose them to the incredible variety of careers related to science and technology,” said Dean of the Leonardtown Campus F.J. Talley.

Attending students will interact with science and technology career professionals. Many of the activities are not only to help ,but to excite students about science and math. There are opportunities to ride and drive a Chevrolet fuel cell electric vehicle. Others will enjoy the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division at Pax River displays and demonstrations ranging from a telemetry tracking van, post-flight debriefing system for pilots and high-speed video playback technology used in crash simulation testing.

 
 Students attending the
 youth technology summit
 will learn about avionics
 and other science, technology
 and math related fields
 in a fun way.

“Students can learn first-hand how some of the coldest stuff in the universe can be used for navigation, magnetometers and precision clocks,” explained NAWCAD physicist, Dr. Frank Narducci.

“The summit will be a great opportunity for youth in our area to see first-hand how technology is used to support ou