On a recent morning, I watched live brain surgery at Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix. Seriously…it was live and I haven’t seen so clearly how a tumor gets removed from a person’s skull. It’s just fascinating to see how technology makes things possible.  Here’s a video of how it works.

Neurosurgery is complex and it requires extreme training, dexterity and patience. Some neurosurgeons sit for over 16 hours at a stretch conducting surgery using instruments that are precise. Thanks to the Greater Phoenix Economic Council’s (GPEC) Ambassador program, we now know about some of the treasures that exist in the Valley. Isn’t this better than news about gun shots, illegal immigration, the same truck hitting the same home three times?

 The Phoenix area has more opportunities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) than what the public knows. Sadly, a lot of people seem so disinterested. For instance, I was at a recent meeting focusing on STEM careers for junior high students organized by Chandler Unified School District and the attendance was truly disappointing. Three high school principals, career counselors, a top professor from ASU and others spoke at the meeting attended by hardly 30 parents and hardly a dozen children. If we are to give a brighter future for our children, we need to take the initiative first.