Consumers Energy CIO talks education with computer science summer camp participants

PHOTO RELEASE (July 23, 2012) - Participants in the Wayne State University Department of Computer Science summer camp program had the opportunity to meet with and learn from Consumers Energy representatives at a luncheon held July 19 in McGregor Auditorium. Mamatha Chamarthi, CIO of Consumers Energy, greeted the group of more than 80 students, ages 9-18, and encouraged them to pursue higher education and training.

The purpose of the camp is to introduce area youth to web technology, robotics, animation, computer gaming, tech toys and phone apps, and provide them with a better understanding of the types of fields one can pursue with a computer science degree.

During the July 19 luncheon, the students learned more about the field of energy through breakout sessions. Students younger than 14 attended a presentation in which they discussed the importance of energy and were introduced to the protective gear worn by energy workers. Students older than 14 attended a presentation on the history of Consumers Energy and learned about the many opportunities for work in the energy industry.

"We're here so that students can understand what Consumers Energy is and so that we can see the future talent who may eventually work with us," Chamarthi said.

The Department of Computer Science summer camp program began July 9 and will run through July 26.

Additional camp pictures are posted on college's Flickr site.

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Wayne State University is a premier urban research institution of higher education offering more than 400 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to nearly 32,000 students. For more information about engineering at Wayne State University, visit engineering.wayne.edu.