NextGen STEMFest
The Lynch School of Education and Human Development and Engineering Department are teaming up to present the inaugural NextGen STEMFest, a daylong, youth-planned celebration and demonstration to showcase local student innovation, creativity, and inventiveness in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), on May 10 at the Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation in Waltham, Mass.
The event coincides with the 75th anniversary of the National Science Foundation (NSF), which has funded STEM learning experiences at 热点爆料入口 and other universities and youth organizations throughout the United States to develop, support, and elevate the next generation of innovators, particularly those from under-represented communities.
Throughout the day, more than 35 high school youth from the Charles River Collaboratory鈥擬assachusetts鈥� only youth-led innovation space, located within the Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation鈥攚ill lead interactive, hands-on workshops on 3D printing, laser cutting, resin art, automated farming robots, and screen printing that demonstrate the students鈥� knowledge and execution of their STEM proficiency.
In addition, 35 exhibitors will demonstrate their innovative products and services, exposing students and visitors to the variety of STEM-related opportunities and careers. Among the participants will be robotics firm Boston Dynamics, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Spark Photonics, research and development labs such as MIT鈥檚 Advanced Functional Fabrics of America, and GBH鈥檚 Center for STEM Education.
Scientists and engineers from many of the companies, organizations, and universities will also share how they became interested in STEM, their respective career paths, and the nature of the work鈥攕uch as regenerative medicine and new biotechnologies鈥攊n which they鈥檙e presently engaged.
Attendees at the NextGen STEMFest can also explore the Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation for free. More details are available at .
鈥淭he festival鈥檚 name reflects the desire of existing youth leaders to inspire and motivate younger youth to discover and engage with science, technology, engineering, and math,鈥� said G. Michael Barnett, professor of science education and technology at the Lynch School. 聽鈥淲e connect students with the knowledge, competencies, and mentorship that not only reaffirm that they have the capacity for STEM, but it reinforces that they are welcome, they belong, and they can excel in these fields, while preparing them to be leaders in tomorrow鈥檚 workforce.鈥�
The NextGen STEMFest is funded through the NSF Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST) program. For more about the Charles River Collaboratory, see .