HAYS, Kan. -- The 2015 inaugural Young Makers' Conference for almost 200 area school children in grades 3 to 5 will be from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, at Fort Hays State University's Memorial Union and the Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center.

The conference will focus on the integration of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and literacy.

A request by Fort Hays State to create a new STEM College has been presented to the Kansas Board of Regents. "This conference is just one example for why we want to establish the new college," said Dr. Mirta M. Martin, FHSU president. "People recognize the importance of STEM to the future of our nation. They are emphasizing it in elementary school and students are coming to Fort Hays State to be taught and inspired by our faculty. They see Fort Hays State as the destination of choice for STEM education in this part of the country."

The conference on Friday is intended to develop an interest in STEM education for school children through literature and hands-on activities, which will feature drones, robotics, coding and popular children's literature. During the lunch break, the children will have the opportunity to make their own robots.

The Young Makers' Conference committee members are: Dr. Beth Walizer, professor of teacher education (committee chair); Eric Deneault, assistant professor of applied technology; Dr. Craig Smith, assistant professor of agriculture; Dr. Dmitry Gimon, assistant professor of informatics; Joseph Chretien, associate professor of applied technology; Mary Meckenstock, instructor of teacher education; Sarah Rhodes, instructor of teacher education; and Dr. Teresa Woods, assistant professor of teacher education.