PRINCESS ANNE, MD-(November 9, 2021)-UMES Extension’s 4-H STEM Festival this Saturday has everything from live animals to 3D printing and robotics. Activities free to participants take place outdoors at the Engineering and Aviation Science Complex on the University of Maryland Eastern Shore campus from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Part of the month-long Maryland STEM Festival, the theme is “Health and Wellness” focusing on the importance of healthcare fields and careers, particularly in light of the pandemic. NASA Wallops Flight Facility will be on hand to demonstrate some of the aeronautical research on the International Space Station and technologies being developed to improve fitness and treat diseases. Keeping astronauts healthy in space is one of its priorities.
STEM-related activities from other outside agencies include learning about bats and how sound travels from the Ward Museum, identifying animal tracks and receiving a free field guide from the Pocomoke State Forest, and observing animals and artifacts relating to shorebirds from the Maryland Conservation Corps.
UMES educators and organizational groups pitch in by offering demonstrations and experiments, such as examining pond water samples and making a fishing lure by the American Fisheries Society; using a green screen to be a TV station weatherman by the Digital Media Program; and learning how sensors, lights and other things work using circuit boards by the National Society of Black Engineers.
The Maryland STEM Festival brings to light the educational, cultural and financial impact of science in the state. The hope is to “cultivate a positive environment that inspires children to pursue science-related careers and encourages businesses to invest in Maryland.”
“UMES Extension participates in the Maryland STEM Festival to do its part in contributing to the diverse pool of talented STEM professionals for a future state and national workforce,” said Bradley Hartle, a 4-H STEM educator with UMES Extension and coordinator for the event.
For more information, contact Hartle at bhartle@umes.edu or 410-651-7974.
Gail Stephens, agricultural communications and media associate, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences, UMES Extension, gcstephens@umes.edu, 410-621-3850.
