Thirteen Michigan City High School Biology students attended a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Conference on Friday, November 13 at Southwestern Michigan College along with their teachers Mrs. Gresham, Mr. Jasicki, and Miss Dege. While at the conference students were given the opportunity to explore new advancements in STEM careers and education as well as innovative high school STEM projects.
The students were greeted by Michigan State Senator John Proos who discussed growing local economies through STEM education. The students were then able to learn about the applications of 3D printers. Teachers and students from Penn High School presented on their project to 3D print a prosthetic arm for an elementary student in their school district. Teachers and students from New Buffalo High School presented on using recyclable 3D printing material to print classroom supplies for teachers within their school district such as dice, test tubes, and frogs for alternative frog dissection.
Following these presentations the students attended STEM workshops presented by college professors. The students and teachers attended workshops such as how to use Leica Microscopes in the classroom, using case studies to learn/teach science, high-energy chemistry demonstrations, flipping physics curriculum, math applet simulations, and DNA fingerprinting. During lunch they also heard a research presentation by Dr. Jessica Gottlieb from the University of Notre Dame’s Center for STEM Education.
To conclude the day’s events, students were allowed to interact with SW Michigan College’s STEM students in hands-on interactive exhibitions. This conference allowed students to interact and network with other students as well as college staff members. They were able to learn about the advancements in STEM education as well as the career opportunities that will be available to them when they enter the workforce.