So many students are overwhelmed by science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) classes. As a result, they do not pursue careers in the industries that require strong STEM education.
To help address this growing problem, Lone Star College-Kingwood’s Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK) will host its first Reverse Science Fair at LSC on Saturday, April 11 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. The event, geared toward students in grades four-seven, will help to reform preconceptions surrounding STEM disciplines. At the science fair, professors, instead of students, will make presentations to engage attending participants in captivating hands-on science activities.
“Our research indicated many students, predominantly female, dismiss the science fields as too challenging or too monotonous. It also indicated low-income students are unlikely to develop their interests in these fields,” said Mina Jahan, PTK president. “We discovered hands-on instruction promotes positive perceptions toward science; this method is especially effective for females who are often underrepresented in the STEM fields.”
The Reverse Science Fair will start and end in the Student Conference Center (SCC). Participating students will be divided into three groups, biology, physics, and engineering, and will rotate to ensure that everyone takes a glimpse into each represented field. The biology and engineering stations will be in the Health Sciences Building (HSB) and the physics station will be in the Performing Arts Center (PAC).Students will be exposed to these topics through fun and innovative projects.
Professors who will participate in the science fair are Dr. Brian Shmaefsky, biology; Jamie Turner, engineering; and Kathryn Gerbich, physics. Their goal is to provide cognizant activity-led projects that will improve learning motivation and cultivate cooperative attitudes among students.
“By providing students with opportunities to interact with STEM professionals of various fields in hands-on science projects, we aspire to empower participants to explore their curiosity,” Jahan said. “We hope these experiences will ignite interest in scientific exploration in children today, so that they can be the innovators of tomorrow.”
The Reverse Science Fair is free and open to local students in grades four-seven. No application or tryout is necessary, but all students must register at http://goo.gl/forms/vJIlgMtR9x. All student attendees are eligible for a scholarship raffle.
For more information on the Reverse Science Fair, call 281-312-1471 or email
Register now for credit classes online through myLoneStar. Classes are offered days, evenings, or weekends in traditional, Internet, video, TV and independent study formats. For more information on how to register online, visitwww.lonestar.edu/registration.
For general information about Lone Star College-Kingwood, call 281.312.1600 or visithttp://lonestar.edu/kingwood.htm.
Lone Star College System has been opening doors to a better community for 40 years. Founded in 1973, LSCS remains steadfast in its commitment to student success and credential completion. Today, with 78,000 students in credit classes, and a total enrollment of more than 90,000, Lone Star College System is the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area and the fastest-growing community college system in the nation. Dr. Stephen C. Head is the chancellor of LSCS, which consists of six colleges including LSC-CyFair, LSC-Kingwood, LSC-Montgomery, LSC-North Harris, LSC-Tomball and LSC-University Park, five centers, LSC-University Center at Montgomery, LSC-University Center at University Park, Lone Star Corporate College, and LSC-Online. To learn more visit LoneStar.edu.
