Boise State University’s College of Engineering and College of Arts and Sciences are reaching out to young students across the valley, region and state with several hands-on events this semester, beginning with Saturday’s Future City Regional Finals in the Student Union.
These programs introduce students to a wide range of STEM topics and better prepare them to understand science and engineering, use mathematical reasoning and tackle the tough issues facing the world today. It also helps ready them for future study as college students.
“As a state university, we have a responsibility to our region to work across the educational spectrum in preparing students for their next step in education and their eventual career paths,” said Donna Llewellyn, executive director of Boise State’s Institute for STEM & Diversity Initiatives.
Boise State students also get the opportunity to work with and mentor K-12 students, which helps them better understand the underlying concepts at a foundational level.
Following are upcoming events that are open to the public. In addition, Boise State will host regional (Feb. 20) and state (March 12) MathCounts competitions, and events aimed at middle and junior high students as part of Biomechanics Day April 7.
Jan. 23
Regional Finals, Future City Competition
Middle school students will vie to create new and innovative solutions to the vexing issue of waste management in this year’s Future City Competition regional finals, held 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23, at the Student Union Jordan Ballroom at Boise State University. Final round begins at 1:30 p.m. Learn more at www.futurecity.org.
Jan. 30
Regional Middle School Science Bowl
Sponsored by the Department of Energy, the National Science Bowl (NSB) is a highly competitive science education and academic event among teams of high school and middle school students who compete in a fast-paced verbal forum to solve technical problems and answer questions in all branches of science and math. Finals are at 3:30 p.m. in Engineering Building Room 110.
Feb. 5
Boise State University Aerospace Day
Aerospace Day is open to students, faculty, staff, employers, K-12 teachers and community members and features presentations, poster sessions and demonstrations focused on the fascinating field of aerospace. Events are from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 5, in the Student Union Hatch C/D Ballroom and the Bergquist Lounge. Presented by the Institute for STEM & Diversity Initiatives. Learn more atstem.boisestate.edu/aerospaceday.
Feb. 6
Engineering and Science Festival
Families are invited to attend the annual Engineering and Science Festival (formerly STEM Exploration Day) at Boise State University on Saturday, Feb. 6. All events are free. A variety of hands-on activities are scheduled from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Engineering Complex. Free parking is available at the Lincoln Parking Garage at the corner of University and Lincoln. Learn more atcoen.boisestate.edu/STEMExploration.
March 7
Regional High School Science Bowl
Sponsored by the Department of Energy, the National Science Bowl (NSB) is a highly competitive science education and academic event among teams of high school and middle school students who compete in a fast-paced verbal forum to solve technical problems and answer questions in all branches of science and math. Finals are at 4 p.m. in the Student Union Jordan Ballroom.
March 19
Boise Code Camp
Boise Code Camp is a free event for developers, hardware geeks, and the curious to come and learn from their peers. Do you have young coders? Are you a young person interested in technology? Boise Code Camp has an all-day track of coding and technology sessions aimed at youth ages 6 to 16. Held in the Student Union Building. Learn more at boisecodecamp.com.
April 1-2
Regional FIRST Robotics Competition
This competition pits high school teams and their student-designed robots against each other in a fun and competitive robotic game from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at Taco Bell Arena. Using creativity, along with guidance from adult mentors, teams must work collaboratively to build a robot capable of achieving the game’s goals, which were unveiled Jan. 9. The College of Engineering is sponsoring the local competition, and this year will host a “girl-powered” team. Learn more about FIRST Robotics atwww.firstinspires.org/robotics/frc.
BY: KATHLEEN TUCK PUBLISHED 3:48 PM / JANUARY 19, 2016
The post Fun Science and Engineering Events Engage Young Students appeared first on College of Arts and Sciences.