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.
More than 500 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 Academy, Barnes County North, and Edgeley. These 7th and 8th graders will participate in the one-of-a-kind experience at no cost.
Presenters from across the state will put on different workshops that will include dentistry, chemistry, pharmacy, engineering, wildlife biology, drones, graphic design, transportation 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.
The morning will begin with a welcome from University of Jamestown President Dr. Polly Peterson, followed by a keynote speaker from NASA.
The event is sponsored by AAUW Jamestown with numerous sponsors including the Optimist Club, Knights of Columbus, Interstate Engineering, Jamestown School District 1, University of Jamestown, and the ND Stem Network.
You can learn more about the event at techsavvynd.org.