School vacation week doesn’t mean time off from learning, especially for 140 elementary students heading to Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). Coinciding with National Engineers Week, on Feb. 18 and 19, third, fourth, and fifth graders from the Worcester area will be taking part in fun, interactive STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) activities. WPI students, including members of the Engineering Ambassadors Organization, the Rocketry Club, and the biomedical engineering graduate (BME) program, are donating their time to run these free, half-day programs.
Where
WPI Rubin Campus Center, Worcester, Mass.
When
Engineers On the Go
Monday, Feb. 18
9:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Introduce a Girl to Engineering
Tuesday, Feb. 19
9:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Both programs consist of four STEM Stations:
- Mock Laparoscopic Surgery – presented by BME Grad Students
- Build a Balloon Rocket – presented by WPI Rocketry Club
- Wigglebots – presented by Engineering Ambassadors and WPI Student Volunteers
- Water Filtration (Environmental Engineering) – presented by Engineering Ambassadors and WPI Student Volunteers
More Information:
The free programs are sponsored in part by WPI’s Pre-Collegiate Outreach programs and through a donation from ExxonMobil to WPI’s Engineering Ambassador Organization.
“I believe it is important for students to be engaged with STEM at a young age to foster critical thinking and self confidence, and to encourage them to consider careers in STEM.
Making a connection with a young student is not only fulfilling but also inspires college volunteers to become better scientists and mentors,” said Katherine Schweikert ’19, who is majoring in mechanical engineering and is serving as a WPI Engineering Ambassador. “Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day and Engineers On the Go create opportunities for these connections to be made and are only possible through generous donations.”
