Monday kicks off 7 Days of STEM

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Area explorers, discoverers, makers, thinkers, and learners of all ages will have seven days to experience all things science, technology, engineering and mathematics during the area’s first regional science and technology festival.

Starting Monday, preschool children can find out what it’s like in space from NASA. Teens will walk in Youngstown State University College of STEM students’ shoes. Adults will create ice cream flavors with solid carbon dioxide, and families can escape into the universe, discover 3D printing, encounter robots or run across non-Newtonian fluid.

These experiences are among the activities planned during 7 Days of STEM, the Youngstown Regional Science and Technology Festival set for Monday through Sept. 21.

The event, sponsored by Time Warner Cable and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, is a collaborative effort powered by OH WOW! The Roger and Gloria Jones Children’s Center for Science & Technology. The seven-day celebration of STEM education will be hosted at numerous venues, with various participating institutions, organizations and businesses. The full schedule of events and venues can be found at OHWOWKids.org/7-days-of-stem.

“This seven-day, community celebration of STEM provides a variety of hands-on, interactive-learning opportunities for students of all ages in the greater Mahoning Valley region,” said Christine Mackin, Community Investment manager for Time Warner Cable.

“Youngstown was one of 11 sites selected by the Sloan Foundation,” said Katie Seminara, assistant manager of OH WOW! “Our planning team looks forward to the opportunity to showcase the many organizations, institutions and individuals working to generate excitement in STEM education for learners of all ages in our region.”

Events are designated family, teen, and/or adult and will cover an assortment of STEM related topics. Learn about composting one day; see how the Butler Institute of American Art is using technology in art the next; or explore Larva Lithography and step inside the Mobile FABLAB at the free finale event, “Silly Science” Sunday.

“Events like this challenge student and show them that STEM is more than just what they learn in the classroom – it’s also about solving real-world problems and helping them discover science and technology in a whole new way,” Mackin added.

Alexa Sweeney-Blackann, a festival committee member, said the festival offers events and exhibits for everyone.

“We are fortunate that our community can offer a full week of STEM events, and we hope families and individuals take advantage of this unique cultural experience,” she said.