Columbia State Community College recently hosted its STEM Within Reach event, which encouraged local middle schoolers’ curiosity for science, technology, engineering and math careers.

The event focused on providing attendees with a look at the various paths of study and career opportunities available in STEM fields as they begin to think about their futures.

“It was a wonderful day,” said Ryan Badeau, Columbia State educational services coordinator for the Williamson Campus and associate professor of physics. “Students spent the day exploring STEM concepts in exciting contexts—flying drones through an obstacle course, designing a python-based computer game in a gamified computer lab, dissecting cow-eyeballs, interacting with live reptiles and animals and exploring electronic sensors and mechatronics in the college's mechatronics lab.”

The one-day event was open to all 6th, 7th and 8th graders and offered interactive, hands-on activities as well as encouraged early student success in STEM, provided awareness of STEM careers available in Tennessee and promoted the scientific and technological understanding of such fields.

Tabatha Carter, Forrest High School physical science teacher and Columbia State adjunct biology professor and alumna, kicked off the event as host for the young students, preparing them for everything they would experience at the event.

Molly Watts, NASA Jacobs Space Exploration Group MSFC education and public outreach liaison and Columbia State alumna, was this year’s keynote speaker. Her opening presentation described her efforts to redirect her career from teaching math to her dream job in engineering at NASA. Through many trials, her determination ultimately paved her path to success. Her story encouraged students to follow their hearts in order to pursue their own dreams.

“STEM is not an easy field, but what really differentiates you is your attitude,” Watts said. “Are you willing to learn? Are you willing to say, ‘I don’t know this,’ and are you willing to put in the work? That is really what makes a huge difference.”

Activities included building a self-sustaining ecosystem, cow eyeball dissection, crime scene investigation, a chemistry flame test, drone racing, a virtual reality experience and a variety of other STEM-based workshops. A complementary adult session was also provided to give insight on how to encourage and guide young people that take interest in STEM classes and careers.

“By all accounts, the event was a fun and exciting program for all the middle school students and their parents, as well as the volunteer,” said Andrew Wright, Columbia State assistant vice president of faculty, curriculum and programs. “I believe this STEM outreach program embodies what Columbia State strives to do on a daily basis, and that is demonstrating to the kids that their success is possible and empowering them to make a difference.”

STEM Within Reach was sponsored by the Tennessee Valley Authority, Columbia Power and Water Systems, Dickson Electric System, Duck River Electric Membership Corp., Lawrenceburg Utility Systems, Lewisburg Electric System, Meriwether Lewis Electric Coop., Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Coop., Mount Pleasant Power System, Nashville Electric Service, Pulaski Electric System – Energize and Tennessee Valley Electric Coop.

For a look at the photos from STEM Within Reach, visit https://https://www.flickr.com/photos/columbiastatecc/albums/72177720312160660/page1.