JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Middle school students in the area will come together at the University of Jamestown for the annual TechSavvy & STEMtastic event on March 7th, 2022.

Nearly 350 area 8th Grade students will participate in a fun, daylong event to explore different careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). STEM professionals will be leading hands-on and interactive workshops over the day, which students sign up for ahead of time.

“The events would not be possible without the tremendous support of local, state and regional companies sending their STEM professionals to lead hands-on workshops,” stated Co-chair Erica Althoff, Engineer with USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in North Dakota. “Students who have participated in the event have enjoyed it.”

Schools scheduled to participate this year include Jamestown Middle School, Medina, Pingree-Buchanan, Montpelier, Litchville-Marion, Gackle-Streeter, Hillcrest, Barnes County North, Edgeley, and Kensal.

Presenters from across the state will put on different workshops that will include dentistry, wildlife biology, small machinery, art, drones, nursing, 3D printing, chemistry, and more.

“Through hands-on workshops, exposure to STEM professionals and role models, and a conversation on engineering problem solving principles followed by small group activity to put their knowledge into practices, students are encouraged to see themselves as future scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and computer scientists. The atmosphere of a college campus helps them envision their future accomplishments,” Althoff stated.

AAUW Jamestown is the lead sponsor of the event with co-sponsors University of Jamestown, Jamestown School District 1 and Gateway to Science. ND STEM Ecosystem Network provided grant funding to support the event.

For future updates as well as information on upcoming speakers, follow Jamestown ND STEM Day on Facebook.

You can learn more about the event at techsavvynd.org