The Center for Initiatives in STEM (iSTEM) Office is hosting more than 1,300 students in grades K-12 at the University of Central Florida for STEM Day on Friday, Nov. 6.
STEM Day is a free event that will feature a wide variety of activities focused on STEM disciplines, while showcasing some of the best of UCF’s faculty, students and programs. Events run from 10:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
“This is all about making Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics real for students so they can see how exciting it is and why it matters,” said Melissa Dagley, executive director of iSTEM.
Some economic projections have pointed to a need for 1 million more STEM professionals in the US than what universities are currently producing to maintain its preeminence in science and technology.
“If they can see all the options early, then they can continue to work hard in school and have the opportunity to pursue these areas in college and perhaps one day solve some of our most pressing world problems,” Dagley said.
The event will provide students with an opportunity to explore the exciting disciplines through more than 60 hands-on activities, demonstrations, speakers, and exhibits designed and led by UCF’s faculty and students.
The kick off event will be three separate opening sessions, split by grade level, and led by current and past astronauts. STEM day is co-hosted by the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation whose mission is to aid the US in retaining its world leadership in science and technology, by providing college scholarships for the very best and brightest students pursuing STEM degrees.
Limbitless Solutions, UCF Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Student Chapter, and Women of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (WEECS) are just a few of the campus organizations participating in this year’s STEM day. Other UCF Departments along with NASA representatives will be also be in attendance.
For additional information about the day, click here. For more information about the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation click here.