STEM Expo Session 3/8

Hosted by: STEM Scholars and Honors in STEM

stemscholars.uconn@gmail.com

HiS: jacob.mikulitz@uconn.edu (Outreach Chair)

Welcome!

• Introductions
• Overview of the Expo
• Types of Booths and examples
• Prizes
• How to Register

If you have any questions, please let us know at any point. (You can submit anonymously at the link above!)

Why have a STEM Expo?

1. Showcase the many STEM fields we have at UConn
2. Inspire high school students to apply for college
3. Expose them to collegiate-level research
4. Improve college students’ presentation ability

What makes it unique?

We are presenting science projects to high school kids, who will be judging who the winner is.

Logistics

Monday, April 3rd

4-6PM

NextGEN Forum

• Approximately 45 high school students
• Faculty are also invited
• Pizza will be provided (and free desserts)
• 3 Individual category winners will be announced and receive Amazon gift cards
• 1 Group category winner will be announced and receive an Amazon gift card

OK...

What kind of projects can we do?

Regulations

• Must be safe enough to conduct in an open, public space
• A video of a dangerous experiment would be fine
• Must cater towards a high-school audience and showcase a college-level project
• Must not be over 10 minutes long to present your project (including the interactive piece)
• MUST have an interactive portion

Regulations (cont.)

• You will get two tables worth of space to work with
• Funding for your project (anticipated $5-10 per project) may be available

Example 1

Iodine “Clock” Reaction

(Chemistry)

Have a poster describing reaction rates and what reactions

Create a solution with household items in a beaker

• Mix them together with a stirring rod
• The solution turns a deep blue color
• Add another reagent and stir
• The solution turns clear again

Example 1

Iodine “Clock” Reaction

(Chemistry)

Interactive piece

• Have a volunteer come up and mix the solution
• Have everyone else count the number of seconds it takes between color changes
• Have volunteers plot it out on a graph that you’ve drawn out on the whiteboard

Example 2

Tissue Engineering Research

(BME)

Have a research poster that you already made for another presentation

Provide a 3D printed prototype of a new tissue matrix that allows cells to grow into a specific shape

Interactive piece:

• Bring legos and allow students to build structures that they think would help grow organs

Basically�The point is...

1. Make it fun!
2. Be creative!
3. It doesn’t need to be revolutionary, but present it in a way that can be exciting for others!

How do I get involved?

Sign-Up!

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Register for a booth at the fair at this link: https://goo.gl/4h6Szz (DEADLINE IS MARCH 31st)

(Categories for group and individual projects are available)

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Questions?