Students from all across North Texas will have the opportunity to tour interactive exhibits, hear from guests including a forensic science ballistics expert and NASA engineer, and visit with more than 30 colleges and universities about STEM-related education programs and career fields. Open to all high school students in the Metroplex, these opportunities are part of Grapevine-Colleyville ISD’s inaugural STEM Expo College Night, set for 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, April 28, at Grapevine High School. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
“We are proud to provide students an opportunity to visit with college and university representatives regarding programs with a STEM focus,” said Emberly Spillman, GCISD director of counseling. “These industries are growing and students need an opportunity to research programs and degrees that are most appealing to them. This is the future of many of our young people and we are pleased to offer this starting point to their further education.”
The Expo will include classroom presentations, as well as demonstrative presentations at the STEM school booths. Classroom presentations will last about 20 minutes and include a question-and-answer period. Some notable presentation topics include drones, robotics, data security, and more. Booth demonstrations will take place every 15 minutes.
Laura Fleming, a Dallas County Forensic Science ballistics expert, will deliver her presentation starting at 6 p.m. in the school’s Lecture Hall. Additional presenters include Keenan Roach, mechanical engineer for NASA, who will discuss automated collision detection and avoidance for en route aircraft; and prosthetic and orthopedic experts from the Scottish Rite Hospital. All presenters will share their experiences on their paths to their careers.
Grapevine High School Counselor Marland May began planning the STEM Expo College Night after brainstorming ways to better connect students with college and industry representatives. He wanted to find a way to help students take part in productive conversations with these representatives. May intentionally researched the careers his students are interested in for their future, which helped build the structure for the GCISD STEM Expo College Night.
“Students rarely have the opportunity to meet with college professors, let alone deans of programs,” May said. “The STEM Expo is an opportunity to fully investigate a campus of your choice based on their perspective major.”
Web Resources: EVENT WEBSITE: www.gcisd-k12.org/Page/38349
