Showcasing STEM

Georgia Southern University welcomed more than 1,500 participants to the inaugural STEM festival on campus at several locations. Hosted by the University’s Office of Research and Economic Development, the three-day event showcased opportunities for students to discover and become interested in exploring careers in science, technology, engineering and math. The festival was designed to engage all ages from young children to adults in three distinct segments: i2 Work, i2Research and i2Explore.

During the i2Work segment of the Festival, students on campus had the opportunity to meet with prospective employers about internships and employment. i2Research offered opportunities for students to explore all of the research being performed at the University in the fields of public health, athletics training, coastal plain science and more. During this event, Georgia Southern faculty and other area colleges and universities also met with regional industries for a research conference.

The festival concluded with an i2Explore community event for K-12 students and their families at Nessmith-Lane Conference Center. During the children’s fair, younger students were treated to fun-filled lessons about robotics, how to make ice cream with liquid nitrogen, how to launch rockets with alka seltzer and even how to become a Jedi Knight.

“The purpose of the STEM Festival was to use exploration stations to demonstrate to our greater community that science, technology, engineering and math, despite many misconceptions, can be fun and that subjects that seemed boring in school have some very real applications and are tied to interesting careers,” said Karin Scarpinato, Ph.D., associate Dean for Faculty and Research and biology professor.