TekNoXpo returns to Northern

High school juniors and seniors from throughout Montana will be in Havre Thursday to take part in Montana State University-Northern’s ninth annual TekNoXpo.

Holly Haas, Big Sky Pathways Dual Enrollment and Perkins coordinator at Northern who also oversees the event, said TekNoXpo, which stands for Technology-Knowledge-Exposition, is a chance for students to learn about degree programs at Northern, specifically in  Northern’s College of Technical Sciences, through hands-on activities.

About 120 students signed up by Tuesday, but as many as 280 can register, Haas said.

Students invited to this year’s TekNoXpo will come from as far west as Thompson Falls, east as Wolf Point and south as Helena, Haas said. Programs showcased this year will be those in agriculture, automotive, diesel, plumbing, welding, electrical, civil engineering, bio-energy, biology and health promotions.  

Haas said there will also be an equipment rodeo in the southwestern parking lot where the visiting students will have the chance to use mini excavators, backhoes and skid steers.

Visiting students are scheduled to arrive on campus at 8 a.m, Haas said.

After a welcome from Northern Chancellor Greg Kegel and Dean of the College of Technical Sciences Larry Strizich in the Armory Gymnasium, students will be divided into the groups for agriculture and automotive; construction careers; diesel technology, and health care, depending on which they had registered for. Each group will consist of three  55-minute presentations that will span from 9:15 a.m to 12:30 p.m

Participants will then have a barbeque lunch behind the Applied Technology Center sponsored by the Montana Contractors Association, Haas said. The event will conclude with a panel discussion from 1-2 p.m. moderated by Kegel Participants on the panel will include someone from Northern Montana Health Care, professionals in the fields of construction, diesel technology and someone involved with welding, plumbing and electrical apprenticeships.

Students can sign up http://msunteknoxpo.weebly.com.