STEM Day ignited interest for K-8 students on Saturday, April 11, at Virginia Western Community College. Around 1,250 children and families visited campus for the event, which featured free food, booths and interactive exhibits.
Virginia Western faculty members and community partners teamed up to make science, technology, engineering and mathematics subjects accessible and fun. Students were able to experience pendulum painting, electric cars and motorcycles, glow in the dark bacteria, medical simulations with real clinical tools, robots and slime, and a variety of other exhibits showcasing the many practical and engaging applications of STEM in our community.
Generous funding provided by Project VITAL (GoVA) and the Roanoke Blacksburg Innovation Alliance made STEM Day possible. More than 100 volunteers supported the event.
Community partners provided exhibits and food at no cost to attendees. Those partners include: Clean Valley Council; VT Roanoke Center; Bricks 4 Kidz; Virginia Museum of Transportation; Novonesis; Kids Square; Carilion Clinic Innovations; Carilion Clinic Center for Simulation, Research and Patient Safety; Virginia Tech Health Sciences and Technology Campus; Virginia Department of Forensic Science; Science Museum of Western Virginia; Girl Scouts of Virginia Skyline Council; Virginia Agriculture Mobile Education Unit; Virginia Tech Baja Team; Virginia Tech Formula SAE; BOLT at Virginia Tech; and Virginia Tech Astrobotics. Marco’s Pizza and Bojangles provided food for the event.
“The Virginia Western STEM and Workforce Team proudly supports the regional STEM ecosystem,” said Amy White, Dean of STEM and Workforce Solutions. “We are excited by outreach events like STEM Day, through which we can educate the community about opportunities and technologies available right here in the Roanoke Valley. Events like this showcase not only the educational resources available, but also the collaborative spirit that resonates throughout this region.”
