Columbia State to Host STEM Within Reach Event
Columbia State Community College will host a STEM Within Reach event in an effort to promote and encourage young people’s knowledge and access to science, technology, engineering and math careers, on Oct. 25 at the Columbia Campus.
“STEM Within Reach is more than just a science outreach event – it’s an ongoing passion project of Columbia State faculty and staff who love science,” said Ryan Badeau, Columbia State educational services coordinator for the Williamson Campus and associate professor of physics. “STEM Within Reach is a full-day Saturday event, held every other year at the Columbia Campus, with the goal of bringing novel hands-on science activities and experiences to middle school boys and girls right here in Middle Tennessee. We believe in inspiring upcoming students to not only learn more about the natural world, but also how they can use that knowledge to pursue future careers that benefit themselves, their families and communities.”
STEM Within Reach is a one-day STEM forum open to all 6th, 7th and 8th graders that will offer interactive, hands-on activities as well as encourage early student success in STEM, provide awareness of STEM careers available in Tennessee and promote the scientific and technological understanding of such fields.
The workshops at STEM Within Reach are designed to teach middle school students about the different opportunities in STEM-related careers as they begin to think about their futures.
Stations will be set up around campus for the students to observe and participate while Columbia State faculty and guest presenters guide them through an interactive, hands-on experience.
Topics include animal science, astronomy, biology, chemistry, engineering, math, technology and more.
“Our last event was held in October 2023, and included stations that explored drone flight, chemistry flame tests, an introduction to Python and game development, cow eyeball dissection, live animals and agricultural science and more,” said Bobbie West, Columbia State associate professor of engineering and physics. “We partnered with the Columbia Police Department and Columbia Fire & Rescue to showcase how they use technology in keeping our communities safe. We also had a guest workshop sponsored by Ultium Cells on the science behind batteries.”
Parents and teachers are invited to a tour with information on how their children can pursue resources and careers in a variety of STEM fields. Complementary Wi-Fi and lounge areas will also be available for the duration of the event.
The event will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Waymon L. Hickman building on the Columbia Campus. There is a $20 registration fee, with limited financial assistance opportunities available via the scholarship application made possible thanks to lead sponsor, the Tennessee Valley Authority. Seating is limited.
“We are looking forward to this year’s event which will bring back many of our favorite science activities and workstations and add some new ones!” Badeau said. “I’m personally excited to see the return of the game design event (that was very well received in our last event) and a new activity related to cloud chambers.”
STEM Within Reach is made possible through the volunteer effort of Columbia State’s faculty and staff, the donations of community partners like the Tennessee Valley Authority, and volunteer community presenters like the Columbia Police Department and Columbia Fire & Rescue.
For full details and to register for the event or apply for scholarship funds, please visit www.ColumbiaState.edu/stem-within-reach.
For more information on Stem Within Reach, please email stemwithinreach@ColumbiaState.edu.
