STEM Saturdays

Science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) topics are the focus of three half day workshops from November, 2013 to April, 2014. STEM Saturdays are open to middle school-aged boys and girls—and their parents or guardians. The STEM Saturdays program is generously funded by Intel.

Each session is led by a middle school teacher who has been trained on the importance of gender parity in engineering, methods of encouraging children to pursue STEM subjects, and hands-on teaching methods to redesign curriculum and deliver materials equitably to both genders. Past projects worked on by previous STEM Saturdays participants have included building a hydraulic arm and designing a bike helmet to protect a pumpkin "head".

While the children focus on the academic module, parents and guardians will participate in sessions that outline the research on middle school learners and STEM, and how they can encourage their children to excel in these areas. The events will include speakers, literature, and discussions on how to continue to play an active role in learning about and promoting STEM fields to children.

Each program will conclude with a presentation by the children on their day’s work.

2013-2014 Program dates will be: November 2, 2013, February 1, 2014, and April 5, 2014. The cost of the program is $25 per Saturday, and financial assistance is available. Please contact the Office of Multicultural Affairs at 508-831-5819 to request a registration packet. Participants can register for ANY date, and participation in all dates is NOT required.

 Registration forms will be available in fall 2013.