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?

• Showcase the many STEM fields we have at UConn
• Inspire high school students to apply for college
• Expose them to collegiate-level research
• 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...

• Make it fun!
• Be creative!
• 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!

​

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)

​

Questions?