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Developing S.T.E.M. Outreach in Younger Generations During a Pandemic

POSTER

Abstract

Developing interests and skills associated with STEM careers (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) in young people can have a significant impact on the intellectual growth of the individual and community. Unfortunately, even though schools recognize the value of STEM development, some schools struggle to meet their student's needs. This is especially true in rural and urban school systems. The University of Alabama has established a program called STEM Outreach (STEMO) to provide the youth of Birmingham opportunities to develop scientific thought and critical thinking through mentoring on STEM-based activities with STEM-field professionals. Previously STEMO volunteers partnered with middle school students from Freedom Reign Academy, John Herbert Phillips Academy, and the Eureka Program at Girls, Inc. Now with the pandemic, the need for distance-learning activities is clear to maintain relationships with these schools. As such STEMO members are designing experiments with walk-through videos and written instructions. Each participant receives their STEM experiment free-of-charge mailed in a box. The hope of the STEMO volunteers is to provide young people fun opportunities to develop interest and discover their place in the STEM community.

Authors

  • Amanda Kennell

    University of Alabama at Birmingham

  • Peter Schauss

    University of Notre Dame, Los Alamos National Laboratory, North Carolina State University, University of Notre dame, Columbia University, Mississippi State Univ, University of Pennsylvania, Carnegie Mellon University, University of Puerto Rico at Humacao, JLAB, MIT, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Florida State University, NHMFL, University College Dublin, Department of Physics, Florida State University; National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, CNR-Instituto Nanoscienze, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Institute of Nanotechnology, Department of Chemistry, Florida State University, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Physics, Birmingham, AL 35294-1170,USA, Department of Chemistry, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Francis Marion University, University of Richmond, Valdosta State University, University of Pittsburgh, Fermi National Lab, university of minnesota, Univ of Virginia, Joint Quantum Institute, University of Maryland, Georgetown University, IonQ Inc.

  • Peter Schauss

    University of Notre Dame, Los Alamos National Laboratory, North Carolina State University, University of Notre dame, Columbia University, Mississippi State Univ, University of Pennsylvania, Carnegie Mellon University, University of Puerto Rico at Humacao, JLAB, MIT, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Florida State University, NHMFL, University College Dublin, Department of Physics, Florida State University; National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, CNR-Instituto Nanoscienze, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Institute of Nanotechnology, Department of Chemistry, Florida State University, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Physics, Birmingham, AL 35294-1170,USA, Department of Chemistry, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Francis Marion University, University of Richmond, Valdosta State University, University of Pittsburgh, Fermi National Lab, university of minnesota, Univ of Virginia, Joint Quantum Institute, University of Maryland, Georgetown University, IonQ Inc.