New Hartford, NY (WIBX) - Local teachers are learning the importance of science and technology by participating in a two-day high-tech workshop.
Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente says the program allows teachers to learn about the region's high-tech jobs, while raising student interest in science, technology, engineering and math.

"We believe that nanotechnology is the future," Picente said. "It's about building the workforce of the future, and so it's to get them excited about the areas of technology. Young people are more technology oriented than any of us, and continue to be each and every day with the changes in technology. It's a perfect field and a perfect area to highlight and get more young people interested in."

Today, the 40 participating teachers are at the Oneida-Herkimer-Madison BOCES in New Hartford. Tomorrow, they visit Albany for a tour of the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering.

The program is free for educators, thanks to a partnership between several groups, including Oneida County, Mohawk Valley EDGE and New York State United Teachers.

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