APU Hosts the fifth annual STEM event, “Inspiring Wonder Through Stem”
Azusa Pacific welcomed kids from all over Southern California for its fifth annual “Inspiring Wonder Through STEM” (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) event on Feb. 3 in the Hugh & Hazel Darling Library.
For the past five years, the University Libraries and Center for Research in Science (CRIS) have partnered to host the annual STEM/Nova Day. Up until this year, the APU STEM days were exclusive to the Boy Scouts of America. Now, the program has expanded to not only include Girl Scouts, but to all first through 12th grade students.
Throughout STEM Day, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts received badges for a variety of different hands-on activities taught by APU professors and students. Other representatives included in the event were instructors from the San Gabriel Nature Conservancy, Barnabas Robotics and the RailGiants Train Museum, according to STEM Day at APU’s Facebook page. Over 600 kids were in attendance.
John David Landers, the Director of Education and Community Outreach and Assistant Professor to University Libraries, helped facilitate this year’s STEM Day.
“I think the fun part of today was that we were showing science in the classroom, but also how it translates out into possible careers,” Landers said. “In our movie and animation classes, besides doing the classes and learning how to do it, students were actually able to walk into [APU’s] studio and take part and actually do editing and live T.V. filming. The elementary kids were able to do basic science, [and also do] fun things like create cars or roller coasters.”
STEM Day’s classes included lessons and instruction in robotics, nuclear science, chemistry, astronomy, inventing, digital movie making, railroad, archaeology, engineering, electronics and geology.
Angie Ingalsbe, the Library Coordinator to the dean’s office of the University Libraries, reflected on the history of STEM Day.
“We had a total of 664 kids registered this year, with 26 classes,” Ingalsbe said. “It started with about 100 Boy Scouts only the first year as a way for them to work with APU science professors and earn some of their badges. As it’s grown by about 100 kids every year, we realized last year it would be great to include girls, and a handful of Girl Scouts came last year.”
Ingalsbe explained that in the past, STEM Day was hosted by Boy Scouts of America, but this was the first year APU decided to make it available to all kids.
“We had 96 non-scouts signed up this year,” Ingalsbe said.
Senior chemistry major Michael Jones was in charge of entertaining the kids during their breaks with chemistry demonstrations. Some of these demonstrations included hydrogen balloons, coke and mentos explosions and elephant’s toothpaste.
“My favorite demonstration was the liquid nitrogen, which was basically dipping different items into a bucket of nitrogen and freezing them instantly,” Jones said. “It’s funny hearing their interpretations of what’s going on, and I enjoy their excitement overall.”
Jones was reminded of his passion for chemistry through the kids’ excitement of the chemistry activities.
“I think I take for granted some of the cool things I get to see so often in my major,” Jones said. “So seeing the kids’ reactions reminds me that what I get to do here is really unique and interesting.”