Elementary students presenting the effects climate change has on the planet, alongside addressing global warming. Beck Elandt | The Washtenaw Voice
Beck Elandt | Staff Writer
On Feb. 26, STEAM week’s main event gathered elementary to college students together at WCC’s Morris Lawrence building for a showcase of unique ideas, where conversation and passion came together.
STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics, while STEAM factors “arts” into the acronym.
The WCC STEM Scholars program is currently accepting applications. This program bridges STEM education pathways by partnering with four other schools (MSU, U-M, WMU and WSU) and providing financial, academic and social opportunities.
Each year during STEAM week, the college offers two scholarships of $1000 to be spent on books or tuition, regardless of involvement in a STEAM career.
Susan Dentel, department chair of life sciences, coordinates the STEAM event. Along with creating a space for questioners and presenters, it “highlights careers for high school students,” she said. The week features virtual career panels, leading to the main in-person event Wednesday, and concluding Thursday with more over-the-computer career panels.
At the free and open to the public event, students used presentations with visual and hands-on demos to share their ideas, with the complementary presence of higher education and industry partners. Students have the opportunity to explore their next potential steps.
Davondre Terry and Elovie Mazama, 8th graders from Ypsilanti, created a recycling club for the district.
“It’s only the two of us,” said Terry, who wants to grow the initiative into something bigger. Their main goal is to engage and inform students when it comes to throwing things away and to aid custodial staff.
Logan Tanner, representing WCC STEM Scholars, showcased his experience with the NASA program.
Some of his work involved “looking at what was already there and trying to find ways to improve it,” referring to components of NASA’s SOMD program, which aims to sustain human presence in space.
Representing Mill Creek Middle School and Dexter Community Schools, Collin Werkner and Jonathon Keeler showcased their engineering skills to make changes in the home and in the community.
Werkner worked with the EMU invent program, emailing back and forth with an engineer to develop and bulletproof his upgrading of the household “grabber,” (a mechanical tool used to extend one’s reach) showcased during the event.
His table partner, Keeler, was also involved in the EMU program and aims to find a cheap and compact solution to homeless sleeping arrangements after natural disasters. His current prototype demonstrates the integrity of corrugated plastic cardboard to make something that can be “transported easily” while staying sturdy.
Students from Wylie Elementary showcasing indigenous Ojibwe food assortment: wild rice and maple syrup. Beck Elandt | The Washtenaw Voice
Elementary school students display their own rendition of art and design to guests, inspired by works of architect Zaha Hadid. Beck Elandt | The Washtenaw Voice
