The Stony Brook Future Scholars participated in an interactive STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) Fair, led by the Yang Hall Living Learning Community, on March 7 at Stony Brook Southampton for a day of hands-on learning and college exploration.
Future Scholars from the Riverhead, Southampton, Hampton Bays, Bridgehampton and Tuckahoe school districts participated in interactive stations led by Stony Brook undergraduates.
The activities introduced students to a variety of STEAM fields through engaging demonstrations and projects, including anatomy modeling, genetics demonstrations, dental simulations, emergency response skills, neuroscience activities, marine science identification and physics experiments. Students also contributed to a campus art installation through the Campus Beautification River Rock Project, highlighting the creative side of STEAM.
In addition to the hands-on stations, Residential Hall Director Kristen Solieri led a student panel featuring Yang Hall student leaders who shared their academic journeys, how they chose their majors and what has influenced their college experiences so far. The panel provided students with the opportunity to ask questions about college life, academic interests and extracurricular involvement.
“The STEAM Fair was a remarkable opportunity for our Future Scholars,” said Karissa Raynor, program coordinator of the Future Scholars Program. “As it not only introduced them to diverse fields in science, technology, engineering, arts and math, but also inspired them to envision their own futures in these areas. By participating in hands-on activities and engaging with our passionate student mentors, they were able to explore new academic pathways and develop essential skills that will serve them well in their educational journeys.”
Post-event survey results highlighted the impact of the experience. A total of 90 percent of students reported learning about new STEAM majors and careers, and 74 percent shared that they are now more interested in exploring STEAM pathways in the future. Throughout the activities, students also practiced important skills such as problem-solving, collaboration, creative thinking and communicating their ideas.
The event was made possible through the collaboration of campus partners, including Solieri and Brittany Platin from the Living Learning Communities with Campus Residences, and the Director of Student Life at Southampton Richard Czyzyk. Talented SBU undergraduate students served as mentors and educators from Stony Brook’s campus: Michaela Emanuel, Lucas Lezcano, Thomas DiLeo, Urvish Khanchi, Zhihao Hu, Rabia Chattha, Jeffrey Ram, John Huber, Faiz Shaikh, Miles Powell and Khaled Alafifi, and from the Southampton SoMAS program: Aelish Mullaney, Rocco Maner and Juliana Hart.
The Interactive STEAM Fair aimed to introduce students to the wide range of opportunities within Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics, while helping them envision themselves pursuing future academic and career pathways in these fields. The day concluded with a raffle of Stony Brook Southampton swag to celebrate the students’ participation and curiosity.
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