By James Smithwick
On February 8th, the News-Journal Center played host to Daytona State College’s STEM expo, featuring scholarly seminars and displays, rocket and space experts and even a group of Science Cheerleaders.
DSC’s STEM Community Scholars Program aims to increase the number of students receiving degrees in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) disciplines. The program is supported by a substantial five-year grant from the National Science Foundation.
The exposition showcased presentations from rocket scientist Kantis Simmons, a leading academic success strategist, engineer, product developer and author, and Dionne Jackson, a specialist from NASA’s Materials Science Laboratory at Kennedy Space Center.
Attendees also saw examples of Combustible Chemistry, presented by Dr. John Picione, and the popular How Mr. Kitty Looks on the Inside, with Dr. Walter Saviuk, both from DSC’s School of Biological and Physical Sciences. In addition, spectators were given access to demonstrations by local, state and national companies representing such fields as health care, aerospace, robotics, manufacturing, engineering and higher education.
Students from several area schools attended and saw first-hand how the STEM community and its related fields will impact the future, as well as a rarity in the science and technology fields – Cheerleaders.
The Science Cheerleaders, a group of current and former NFL and NBA cheerleaders who also are working or pursuing careers in STEM fields, showed spectators that science isn’t all bowties and Bunsen burners. Their goal is to connect to groups traditionally underrepresented in science and technology fields.
“With the present discourse at the national, state and even local level regarding how technological innovation will lead our nation to a better future, we are really seeing a marked interest in STEM fields by students,” said Daytona State STEM Coordinator and Math Department Chair Marc Campbell.
For more information about the STEM community, contact Dr. Christian Rivera, STEM Community Scholars Program Coordinator at 386-506-3711, or by email at RiveraCh@DaytonaState.edu.