UMD’s Swenson College of Science & Engineering has adapted its annual STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) Discovery Day event this year to ensure safety during the pandemic and be accessible to new audiences. The goal of the event is to introduce students in grades 6-12 to fun, learning activities and inspire interest in STEM education and careers.
Three Delivery Modes
- Hands-on activities with instructions and/or accompanying videos that allow participants to do things independently. Pre-registered participants picked up kits of supplies at UMD.
- Informational videos from Swenson College faculty and students.
- A series of Zoom panels, one on STEM careers, others on pre-college preparation, and one on ethics in computing and technology.
This 60-second sneak preview provides a snippet of the videos now available via the Swenson College YouTube channel.
Bringing STEM Activities to You
Event organizer Amy Kireta is excited about this new approach to the college’s signature youth event. “In the past we’ve hosted up to 200 middle school and high school students on campus, taking them from lab to lab to try new things and learn more about the possibilities in STEM,” says Kireta. “Now, they can explore at their own pace. Our faculty and staff have gotten extra creative to engage and inspire our audience.”
While kits have been pre-allocated, anyone can check out the videos online. Students and youth in middle school and high school have until March 23 to sign up for the panel discussions which will begin on March 27. Duluth area students are encouraged to explore the website and enter a raffle for a chance to win a family pizza party or STEM prize.
The SCSE Outreach site provides more details on the 2021 STEM Discovery Day.