Students learn with flight simulator, hands-on experiements at STEM Fest

Students learn with flight simulator, hands-on experiements at STEM Fest

(William DaBell /Utah STEM Fest)


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SANDY — When asked what his favorite event at the Utah STEM Fest was, Jonathan Moon said it was definitely the flight simulator.

Jonathan, along with over 18,000 other middle and high school students, participated in the three-day event that started Feb. 2.

"I think it's really cool how all these companies come to inspire kids to choose different career paths," he said.

The flight simulator was put on by Infini D Learning in partnership with US Synthetic. When asked by a student why his company would be involved in STEM education, Landen Garner of US Synthetic said, "the jobs that these kids are going to get in the future haven't been invented yet. How do we prepare kids for jobs in the future? STEM education."

Students build, then destroy, a wall with pink bricks. (Photo: Utah STEM Fest)
Students build, then destroy, a wall with pink bricks. (Photo: Utah STEM Fest)

About 70 businesses, schools and community organizations felt STEM education was important enough to provide interactive exhibits at the event. From 3-D printers with Machine Utah, chemistry with Itineris Early College High School, robotics, building blocks and a marble run with Salt Lake County Library Services, all the parts of STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) were represented.

The event was hosted by the Utah STEM Action Center at the South Towne Expo Center. Tami Goetz, director of the STEM Action Center, described why they put on the event.

Governor Herbert stops by the Salt Lake County Library booth (Photo: William DaBell/Utah STEM Fest)
Governor Herbert stops by the Salt Lake County Library booth (Photo: William DaBell/Utah STEM Fest)

"I think so often students are isolated in a classroom… When they actually come out here and see how science and engineering relates not just to problem solving, but things that happen in their backyard, they hopefully get back to the classroom and that light goes on of, 'Why am I doing math?'" she said. "That's why we do it. You can't be unless you can see."

The first Utah STEM Fest was held in 2015 at Utah Valley University where about 12,000 students attended. Kaitlin Felsted, marketing and communications specialist at the STEM Action Center said, "the core difference is this year we provided the teachers with a lesson plan that includes how to prepare them before, during and after the event."

When 13-year-old Kira Fukumitsu was asked what she liked the most at the Utah STEM Fest, she mentioned the smoke ring activity with IM Flash. But along with the sights and sounds, Kira said she felt inspired with "something to look up to in the future."


Carrie Rogers-Whitehead is a STEM educator and can be reached at rogers-whitehead@hotmail.com

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