Clarkson STEM Ed sponsored outreach spans North Country in 2023

Clarkson University’s Institute for STEM Education (STEM Ed) conducted grant-funded outreach for thousands of K-12 students in the 22-23 academic year, including programs and partnerships with schools impacting students at many levels across the North Country.

STEM Ed’s “SPECCIT” program hosted a Spaghetti Bridge Building Competition in April with participation from 37 High School and Middle School teams from across 3 counties. “SPECCIT” stands for Student Preparation for Emerging Careers in Computer & Information Technology Initiative, and is sponsored by St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES. In the competition, students had 90 minutes to build their bridges while on Clarkson campus with the provided materials, and then to test the bridges to determine the maximum weight-to-load ratio. 

Clarkson students will again travel to four local school districts this summer to provide STEM curriculum and mentorship to students in grades 3 – 8. Students will run activities developed by winning teams from STEM Ed’s 2023 annual “STEM QuESTS Challenge” undergraduate student lesson design competition.  

STEM Ed’s partnership with CFES Brilliant Pathways is planning the opportunity for 40 students from eight different high schools to join members of the CU Rocketry Club and Hot Nozzle Society in a summer STEM program. Students will participate in their own rocket building project, while learning about the physics, science and math involved. To wrap up, students will observe the competition launch at the MARS Club Rocket Launch Site in Geneseo, NY. 

Clarkson’s Institute for STEM Education supports the next generation of problem solvers in STEM. STEM Ed aims to establish Clarkson University as a national leader in student achievement, exemplary pedagogy, and K-12 outreach.