Encouraging the Passion for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics in Future Students
STEM Trekkers Summer Program Inspires Local Students
The annual STEM Trekkers summer program is underway, engaging 70 students from 11 local school districts in a three-day event designed to ignite their curiosity in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). This collaborative effort, a joint venture between the nonprofit Technology Alliance of Central New York (TACNY) and ECS faculty and students, is taking place with the support of community partners such as the City of Syracuse's department of information services, the Upstate Freshwater Institute, and the Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency [1].
The program, which is free for participants, offers hands-on, interactive experiences that align with its broader goals of inspiring students towards STEM careers and fostering practical scientific understanding. One such activity involves students building paper airplanes to explore aerodynamics, providing a tangible way to understand flight mechanics [4].
The main objectives of STEM Trekkers are to spark interest in science and to create a supportive environment where students can explore these fields through direct engagement and experimentation. By doing so, the program aims to cultivate curiosity and foundational STEM skills that encourage future learning and career consideration in these areas [1][4].
In addition to aerodynamics, the program covers a variety of topics, including plastics and polymers, nanotechnology, microplastics, microbiology, and open-source data. These diverse subjects are designed to expose students to various STEM fields [1].
The STEM Trekkers program emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and applying lessons learned to real-world science. Students observe demonstrations and learn from Syracuse University students in the same research facilities, fostering a sense of connection and empowerment [2].
Moreover, the program encourages mentorship between students and research instructors. Students are shown examples of students who have pursued STEM careers, making it seem attainable for them. This approach helps to instill a sense of ambition and encourages students to consider a future in STEM [3].
Among the ECS faculty who volunteered for the program are Venkata S.S. Gandikota, Kasey Laurent, Yiyang Sun, Rodrick Kuate Defo, Eric Finkelstein, and Lihong Lao with the BioInspired Institute [1].
During the program, students participate in a friendly competition to build paper airplanes and see whose can travel the farthest. This fun and competitive aspect of the program helps to keep students engaged and motivated [5].
The STEM Trekkers program also connects with local businesses and agencies to demonstrate the applications of STEM concepts in industry and the community. By doing so, the program aims to make students feel empowered, connected to the subject material, and see a STEM career as an attainable goal [6].
Sue Sobon, a key figure in the program, emphasizes the importance of exposure to various STEM fields for students. By providing these opportunities, the STEM Trekkers program is helping to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators [7].
- The STEM Trekkers Summer Program, occurring annually, leverages online education resources to extend learning opportunities beyond the three-day event, fostering a culture of lifelong learning in science, education-and-self-development, and stem-education.
- In an effort to broaden student exposure and ignite a passion for diverse STEM fields, the program incorporates STEM education topics such as plastics and polymers, nanotechnology, microplastics, microbiology, and open-source data into its structured learning experiences.
- To further cultivate STEM interest and skills among students, the program promotes online education platforms that offer additional resources on these topics, creating an accessible and extensive avenue for continued learning and future career consideration in these fields.
