High School Students to Explore Careers in STEM Fields at SUNY Potsdam
SUNY Potsdam Hosts Students from Across the County for Exploration of Careers in STEM, Sponsored by Arconic
Potsdam, NY (10/14/2022) — SUNY Potsdam is set to host 167 high school students from across St. Lawrence County for a daylong Careers in STEM Event on Wednesday, Oct. 19, sponsored by Arconic.
Students will get the chance to choose from hands-on activities, learning from faculty and students in SUNY Potsdam's programs in science, technology, mathematics and the health sciences. Students from Brasher Falls, Canton, Harrisville, Madrid-Waddington, Norwood-Norfolk and Potsdam high schools will be in attendance.
The goal of the unique field trip is to expose young people to opportunities in the STEM fields, working in the College's laboratories and science facilities alongside faculty and current students. Participants can choose from 26 different activity sessions -- exploring paleontology fossils in sand, using digital microscopy to view insects, yeasts and chloroplasts, taking in a planetarium show or a chemistry "magic" show, drawing fractal trees in JavaScript, calculating the mathematics of soap film, completing an exercise performance test, making fire by friction, planting seedlings using hydroponic tower gardens, excavating a simulated archaeological site, analyzing the energy use and climate impact of everyday activities, and much more.
A free pizza lunch with trivia will be hosted for all participants, thanks to the generous support of Arconic. There will be a discussion about careers in STEM, and time to ask questions and talk to current SUNY Potsdam students studying those fields. All sessions will be held in SUNY Potsdam's laboratories and science facilities, including the newly renovated labs and museum in Timerman and Stowell Hall, as well as the WISER Greenhouse.
The Careers in STEM Event is just one of several educational outreach events that SUNY Potsdam faculty and staff have developed over the past year. The College also hosted a STEM teacher professional development workshop last spring for area K-12 educators, and is planning another workshop for social studies educators next month, in addition to supporting ongoing field trip opportunities for area districts, to expose young people to a range of fields of study and advanced facilities firsthand.
About SUNY Potsdam:
Founded in 1816, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America's first 50 colleges -- and the oldest institution within SUNY. Now in its third century, SUNY Potsdam is distinguished by a legacy of pioneering programs and educational excellence. The College currently enrolls approximately 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its challenging liberal arts and sciences core, distinction in teacher training and culture of creativity. To learn more, visit www.potsdam.edu.
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