On Thursday, April 28, nearly 600 GEAR UP students converged on the campus of Appalachian State University along with hundreds of other western North Carolina students for the annual STEAM Expo.
The STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) Expo, coordinated by the Math and Science Education Center and in collaboration with the NC Science Festival, showcases innovative and hands-on learning opportunities for students of all ages. App State professors and students led demonstrations and activities centered around sparking students’ interest in science and related fields. The STEAM Expo is designed as an event for students in the region who may not have much experience with the variety of opportunities in these disciplines. They visit a university campus, connect directly with professors and researchers in those fields, and get hands-on experiences with tools and ideas that they may never have seen before.
“Our students were able to see engaging demonstrations related to classroom topics, reinforcing that science can be fun and that there are many options for their future, '' says Karee Mackey, GEAR UP Coordinator for Ashe County.
"The 7th grade from East Yancey Middle School was excited to take part in the STEAM Expo at Appalachian State University. This event provided students with hands-on learning opportunities, a campus visit, and interactions with university professors and students. Students and staff from East Yancey were excited to be given this great opportunity and experience" - Gail Branton, GEAR UP Coordinator for Yancey County.
The App State Math and Science Education Center (MSEC) staff helped to coordinate the event this year. Dr. Tracie Salinas, MSEC Director says, “One of my favorite quotes relates to asking students not what they want to be when they grow up but instead what problems they want to address when they are older. STEM fields are so fundamental to that question because not only are they embedded in many of our global challenges, such as disease transmission or climate change, but also because they are incredibly linked to all areas of study across the humanities, social sciences, and STEM. Exploring, studying, creating solutions, advocacy - all relate to some level of knowledge in STEM.”
This was the first in-person STEAM Expo since 2019 due to COVID-19 restrictions. The Expo went virtual last year, and this is the first, large-scale event on campus for many new GEAR UP students.
Dr. Tonya Coffey, Professor and Director of the Physics Secondary Education Program at Appalachian organized the first STEAM Expo over 10 years ago. "I have always loved science outreach, especially when it is with younger children. Their enthusiasm is so exciting to see; it helps me remember why I started studying physics in the first place. So I was thrilled to see the Expo start up again after a three year hiatus due to COVID! I am grateful to Dr. Salinas of the MSEC for being willing to take on the organization of the Expo for years to come, and I look forward to helping in any way I can moving forward."
Doug Thompson, GEAR UP Assistant Director of Curriculum and Instructional Design noted, “The Reich College of Education and Appalachian GEAR UP teams collaborated on an amazing full day event where over 1,000 students from all over the state participated in STEAM experiences throughout the campus. It was an amazing event for all involved and we are looking forward to another expo next year.”
You can view the video from a previous STEAM Expo here.
GEAR UP students visit Appalachian State University to attend the STEAM Expo on April 28 and pose for a photo on campus.
Students from GEAR UP schools as well as other school districts across western NC visit Appalachian State University to attend the STEAM Expo on April 28. Science demonstrations and presentations were held across campus including this one in the IG Greer auditorium.
Students observe and learn about science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics during the 2022 STEAM Expo on the campus of Appalachian State University.