STEM Expo Piques Student Interest
Science, Tech Possibilities Highlighted
In St. Mary’s County science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) is a big deal, and The Patuxent Partnership knows it. Residents in the county hear STEM every day flying over in the form of military aircraft. St. Mary’s County residents carry STEM around everywhere with their smartphones, tablets, and laptops. Residents even depend on STEM for traffic lights, radio shows, and watching sports on television.
STEM is everywhere, which is why it is one of the most sought after fields by employers today. The US Department of Commerce has calculated that, from 2000 to 2010, STEM employment grew increased 7.9 percent. STEM jobs are projected to continue growing, possibly rising 17 percent between 2008 and 2018.
It’s no wonder, then, that St. Mary’s County Public Schools has worked so hard to create a fun and interactive environment to explore the world of STEM. In November, SMCPS held a STEM Festival and Expo at the Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center. The all-day event was part of the statewide Maryland STEM Festival, which focuses on reaching out and piquing the interest of students outside of the county’s official STEM academy program.
“Our STEM academies are an excellent resource, and enhancing them with overarching STEM activities available to all students will benefit our schools and our community,” said Scott Smith, superintendent of SMCPS.
More than 35 different vendors came to the event, including The Patuxent Partnership (TPP) benefactor Raytheon, Patuxent River Naval Air Station, the University of Maryland (UMD) UAS Test Site, and Mathnasium. Vendors offered hands-on experiences for participants, like a UAS simulator from the UMD UAS Test Site, math puzzles and games from Mathnasium, and straw rockets from Raytheon.
“TPP appreciates the work of our benefactors and members who promote ‘STEM 4 All’ and is pleased to be able to foster STEM through our generous grant from the Office of Naval Research,” Bonnie Green, TPP executive director, said.
Almost 400 participants visited the STEM Festival and Expo from kindergarten, elementary, middle and high school levels. Students could participate in several different activities, from flying jets at the Pax River Flight Academy to making ice cream and extracting DNA from strawberries, courtesy of the STEM Academy teachers and students. They programed robo finches, made possible by a donation from TPP to SMCPS and tested their game skills in a cardboard carnival created by STEM Academy students. These interactive activities showcase the power of STEM.
One of the most popular exhibits was the Pax River Flight Academy which allowed students to fly aircraft with the high-end technology provided by TPP and NAWCAD in 2013.
Lyn Whitmer, previous Pax River Flight Academy instructor, provided air controller assistance and guided the students as the experienced flight for the first time.
“I’ve always loved to fly,” Whitmer said. “And to be able to pass my love of aviation on to the future generation of aviators is a true privilege.”
This year’s STEM Festival and Expo attracted more participants and vendors than ever and was a huge success, according to program organizers.
To learn more about STEM activities in St. Mary’s County, go to TPP’s STEM website at www.STEM-Link.org.
The Patuxent Partnership works with government, industry and academia on initiatives in science and technology, hosts programs of interest to NAWCAD, NAVAIR and the broader DoD community, and supports workforce development including education initiatives and professional development. Visit www.paxpartnership.org or call 301-866-1739.
For more information about The Patuxent Partnership, visit their Leader member page.
