Panasonic Foundation, NASA and NIA host “A Space For All” STEM Fest in Kansas

In early November, Panasonic and the Panasonic Foundation invited our new neighbors in Johnson County, Kansas, and the Greater Kansas City area to celebrate an exciting milestone with us. One year ago we broke ground on Panasonic Energy’s new $4 billion EV battery production facility in De Soto, Kansas. To celebrate and give back to the community, we partnered with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the National Institute of Aerospace (NIA) to host a free, fun, family-friendly weekend of activities focused on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education and career opportunities.

“A Space for All” STEM Fest, held on November 3-4, invited families and students of all ages to meet at Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, just a few miles from our new facility. In collaboration with NASA and NIA, Panasonic organized a weekend of interactive experiences, educational activities, guest speakers and informational exhibits, all of which were focused on broadening access, diversity and inclusion in STEM fields. More than 1,000 students, parents, educators and community leaders from across the Greater Kansas City area attended the weekend’s events.

As we prepare to create up to approximately 4,000 new jobs at the new De Soto plant, our leaders are focused on supporting STEM curriculum, career readiness and workforce development for area high school and college students. Whether through training in facilities or educating the next generation about clean technology and manufacturing, we’re eager to broaden, deepen and strengthen the talent pool across Kansas and throughout the Kansas City region.

“Our mission at the Panasonic Foundation is to address the widespread gap between future tech jobs and education in STEM, especially in underserved communities,” said Alejandra Ceja, Vice President of the Office of Social Impact and Inclusion for Panasonic North America and Executive Director of the Panasonic Foundation. “We envision a diverse workforce prepared for the global 21st-century economy for companies like Panasonic and so many more. We are focused on strengthening and diversifying those interested in working in the tech industry, and the STEM Fest activities are one step in the right direction.”

With interactive programs, workshops and activities designed specifically for different audiences and ages—including activities for middle school students, speakers focused on college curriculum and careers, and meetings to connect area nonprofits with potential funding opportunities—STEM Fest participants enjoyed the chance to interact with STEM education experts, explore cutting-edge technologies, and learn about the future of work in the tech industry in the greater Kansas City region and beyond.

Featured speakers included:

• Liz Almeida, Chief Human Resources Officer, Panasonic North America
• Dr. Andy Bowne, President, Johnson County Community College
• Alejandra Ceja, Vice President, Office of Social Impact and Inclusion, Panasonic North America; Executive Director, Panasonic Foundation
• Abby Chitwood, Director of Expansion Engineering, Panasonic Energy of North America
• Chris Croft, Majority Leader, Kansas House of Representatives
• Sharice Davids, Representative, U.S. Congress
• J.R. Edwards, President, Explore Mars Inc./Team Up Together Campaign
• Edward V. Gonzales, Lead, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
• Dr. Mamta Patel Nagaraja, Associate Chief Scientist, NASA
• Dr. Geri Richmond, Under Secretary for Science & Innovations, U.S. Department of Energy
• David Toland, Lieutenant Governor, Kansas; Secretary, Kansas Department of Commerce
• Dr. Mary Wisgirda, Math & Science Dean, Johnson County Community College
• Dr. Ben Wolfe, President and CEO, Kansas State University - Olathe