Hundreds of middle schoolers crowded inside the Boeing Center at Tech Port, gathering around technology exhibits, trying their hand at dexterity exercises and pointing when Spot, a four-legged robot, whirred to life.

The tech-driven spectacle marks the 15th year, or quinceañera, of the CORE4 STEM Expo, an event put on by the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to connect inner city students with “real-world” science, technology, engineering and math experiences.

“I think this is our way — the chamber’s way — of just trying to help tomorrow’s workforce: investing in tomorrow’s workforce today,” said Luis Rodriguez, president and CEO of the Hispanic chamber.

Spot, a four-legged robot dog, greets, watches and interacts with students as they filter in and out throughout the CORE4 STEM Expo event at the Boeing Center at Tech Port on Nov. 6. Credit: Amber Esparza / San Antonio Report

In its 15 years of running, Rodriguez recalled how the expo’s changed to fit student and workforce needs.

The very first CORE 4 STEM Expo in 2010, held at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, focused on high school sophomores and juniors.

“We messed up,” Rodriguez said. Trying to make STEM connections in high school is too late.

Hundreds of San Antonio area middle school students attended and participated in the 15th annual CORE4 STEM Expo at the Boeing Center at Tech Port on Nov. 6. Credit: Amber Esparza / San Antonio Report

So the expo pivoted and now caters exclusively to middle schoolers. The goal, Rodriguez said, is to spark their imaginations and show them “they belong here.”

During this year’s Nov. 5-6 expo, the chamber welcomed 2,000 students from school districts including San Antonio ISD, Edgewood ISD and Harlandale ISD. This way, STEM educators and employers can “catch” students before they decide on a high school pathway, a requirement in Texas public schools.

Local employers like Toyota Texas, CPS Energy and the San Antonio Water System share the expo space to show students live demonstrations of what their work entails, often letting students try tasks like controlling robotic arms and stamping equipment.

One Toyota demonstration let students virtually spray paint with a paint gun. The program then gave students feedback on their execution.

High school STEM programs like CAST STEM and Alamo Academies are also present, encouraging students to enroll.

Maurice Salazar works in human resources and development at Toyota Texas. He also runs the company’s Advanced Manufacturing Technician program, a way for students to earn an associate degree and technician certifications at the same time.

Using an “earn while you learn” model, AMT students spend three days a week in the field and two days in the classroom, making about $40,000 a year. Salazar recruits high schoolers for the program, and is especially focused on encouraging more girls to enter STEM programs as early as they can.

“What all these girls [current AMT students] have in common: they were in a STEM program throughout high school, and they stayed with it because it was seamless. It was on their campus,” Salazar said.

When Salazar recruits, he looks for students with STEM backgrounds in high school. These students don’t just show a higher interest in these job fields, but also higher problem-solving skills, he explained.

Brandeis High School seniors Allan Anto and Nathan Patlovany lead a robotics demonstration to San Antonio middle schoolers during the 15th annual CORE4 STEM Expo held at the Boeing Center at Tech Port on Nov. 6. Credit: Amber Esparza / San Antonio Report

“Someone who has a STEM background, when they apply, that’s a better opportunity than somebody who just took general educational courses because of their interests and their engagement,” Salazar said.

The push for students to get interested in STEM isn’t just about recruiting more workers. Industry experts say careers in STEM often pay better than other fields, aiding in social mobility.

On average, skilled technicians that come out of programs like Toyota’s AMT school, can make between $70,000 and $100,000, Salazar said. The median salary for jobs offered at Port San Antonio, a tech and business hub on the South Side, is about $112,000, Rodriguez told the Report.

Isabella Neal is in her second year at the AMT program. She was at the expo encouraging girls to consider enrolling in STEM-focused schools.

Once Neal graduates next summer, she’ll get hired on a full-time maintenance technician with full benefits. She likes the AMT’s learning model; she likes making connections between what she’s learning inside Palo Alto College’s classrooms and what she’s learning at Toyota’s manufacturing plant.

In high school, Neal took a strong interest in environmental science.

“I want to be, like, somewhere where I’m, like, on the field, and involved. Like, I’m actually working with my hands and my mind at the same time,” she said.

For Rodriguez, the expo is also about showcasing employers’ shifting needs from year to year. Coding, for example, was all the rage five years ago, but artificial intelligence is “revolutionizing” tech industries, he said.

In his role with the Hispanic chamber, Rodriguez is trying to bridge the gap between local school districts and higher education institutions to what local industries need.

“Having that streamlined communication between educators and the business sector is critical, and that’s what we’re trying to do with this,” he said.