Once again, the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) Engineering Ambassadors visited our elementary schools to engage students in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) activities.
Students benefited from this unique learning experience as they worked alongside college students who come equipped with fun, hands-on activities.
Why is it important to introduce students to STEM so early? According to Michelle Skomsky, program manager for the Pre-college Education and Outreach Programs at RPI, research has shown that students, especially girls, will have decided by sixth grade what math and science classes and activities they will participate in.
“Bringing STEM to K-5 students allows them to engage in topics they normally wouldn’t have the opportunity to until high school,” said Ms. Skomsky. “Having students from RPI visit nearby schools provides students access to a wide range of engineering disciplines.”
Projects that students at Abram Lansing worked on included Wind Energy, Getting into Orbit and Saving the Turtles. Students at Harmony Hill also worked on Wind Energy, as well as Fluid Dynamics, Biomimicry and Electric Grids.
During these projects, RPI ambassadors encouraged students to think outside the box. For example, students learned how wind is harnessed to produce energy to power our lives. They discussed power production, efficiency, blade design and environmental advantages and were asked how wind can be used to generate energy and what can engineers do to make wind turbines more efficient.
Our students had a fun-filled day of engineering projects, sparking their interest in future careers. The RPI Ambassadors will be visiting Van Schaick Grade School next month to share their experiences.