Students Explore STEM Through Hands-On Programs

Across several community programs, hands-on activities are being used to introduce children to science and encourage interest in STEM. In Oklahoma City, 1,300 seventh graders explored topics including robotics, electricity and virtual reality during a three-day Innovation Week. In Topeka, Washburn University’s Women in Science Day gave more than 300 seventh-grade girls the chance to conduct experiments, with organizers emphasizing the value of seeing women scientists lead the activities. A separate session for young children used pinecones and conkers to explore patterns, texture, color, floating and sinking; its organizer has also launched free online science games for children from six months to six years old.