The Universities at Shady Grove (USG) and Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) hosted the 4th annual Journeys in Engineering, Technology, and Science (JETS) event on Saturday, December 1st at USG. The day of hands-on learning attracted a crowd of 450 MCPS middle school students and 350 parents, aiming to energize attendees about careers in the areas of bioscience and medicine, engineering and environmental science, and computer technology.
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View the full-size JETS Day slideshow at flickr.com/uatshadygrove
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The event included performances from two travelling science education shows, technical presentations with interactive learning, and an expo of exhibitors showcasing education and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
“Engaging middle-school students and parents will help ensure that students are interested in science curriculum, pursue science and technology education at the post-secondary level, and go on to choose STEM careers,” said Dr. Stewart Edelstein, Executive Director, the Universities at Shady Grove. “The future of our economy is dependent on a highly-skilled, technical workforce and USG is proud to work with our education and business partners to lead this initiative today.”
Dr. Joshua Starr, Superintendant of MCPS, greeted students and parents with opening remarks. A gathering of fifty industry leaders, USG university partners, and high schools participated in presentations and demonstrations throughout the day.
Sparking Interest with Chemistry and Physics
The day began with two general sessions to set the tone for a high-energy day of learning. The “Weird Science,” show served as an interactive and comical demonstration of the power of static electricity, density and the properties of matter, and several additional principles involving chemistry and physics. The “Physics is is Fun” show, based on Sir Isaac Newton and his laws of physics, opened students' eyes to the fascinating world of physics and the ways it governs all movement.
Journey into Science Careers
Twenty-four technical presenters, including industry leaders and faculty from USG’s partner universities, offered interactive lessons related to life science, robotics, computer technology, and engineering. Favorites included the Tech Council of Maryland’s “No Trace Left Behind” session which taught students how forensics scientists test for blood at a crime scene by performing a simulated test inside the MdBioLab Bus. Rockville Science center presented “Fun with Robots,” allowing students to witness robots being programmed in real-time and operate robots remotely. Several memorable activities centered around computer programming and software, including the University of Baltimore’s 3-D Animation Station and Argyle Magnet Middle School’s “Programming From Scratch.”
The day wrapped up with the STEM Pathways Expo, an open exhibit hall, featuring interactive demonstrations from NASA Goddard, Northrop Grumman, Sprockit the Robot, and more, plus Montgomery College and several local high school science programs.
Essay Contest Winners
Ellen Quinn, JETS Event Chair, Quality Programs Director at Northrop Grumman, and member of the USG Board of Advisors, announced the 2012 Essay Contest Winners at the event. Avanish Yendluri, Jay Raichura, Olivia Baechler, Laurel Farmer, and Abo Ewimbi were selected as winners from dozens of submissions which outlined students’ interest in science and the creative problems they wish to solve. Winners received registration for science camp at Montgomery College or the University of Maryland, College Park this summer. Yendluri, the grand prize winner, took home a new Apple iPad.