STEM Week 2024 - Mount Wachusett Community College

What is STEM Week?

STEM Week events are an exciting opportunity to celebrate and promote Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics education. MWCC’s STEM Week events aim to inspire students, educators, and communities to engage with STEM subjects through out hands-on activities, workshops, and interactive demonstrations. STEM Week helps raise awareness about the importance of these fields in solving real-world problems and fosters curiosity and innovation among participants, encouraging the next generation of thinkers, creators, and problem-solvers. Join us for this week dedicated to empowering learners and showcasing the diverse career paths that STEM offers.

STEM Week October 21 – 25, 2024 Events

Monday – STEM in Healthcare

Join us for an enlightening event designed for prospective college students interested in STEM careers within the healthcare field! Our event offers a unique opportunity to explore how science, technology, engineering, and mathematics are transforming patient care, research, and healthcare systems.

Agenda
9:00 am – Arrival/Check In
9:15 am – Welcome & Information Session
9:45 am – Campus Tour
10:30 am – Academic Presentation – Health Careers & Programs
11:30 am – Lunch
Noon – Depart or stay for Optional Presentation on Marine Life at 1:45 pm

STEM and Marine Biology

Come take a deep dive into the marine micro and macrofauna that lives off the Coast of New England. Environmental Biologist, Leah Horeanopoulos, will be presenting on her research of the behaviors and creation of an Ethogram with respect to humpback whales.

As an intern, volunteer and naturalist through the non-profit NECWA, New England Coastal Wildlife Alliance, Leah spent 10 years aboard vessels out of Plymouth and Provincetown studying and learning about everything inside and out, literally, of marine mammals along our coast. Come learn, see, touch (nothing live), maybe smell, some interesting artifacts of the marine bones, and parts of various critters living in our oceans.

Tuesday – STEM Careers in the Military

STEM is an integral part of our modern military services. This exciting and informative event is designed for prospective college students interested in pursuing STEM careers within the military! This event offers a unique opportunity to learn how a degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics can play a crucial role in modern military operations and leadership.

Event Agenda:
10:00 am – Arrival/Check In
10:15 am – Welcome & Information Session
11:00 am – Campus Tour
Noon – Lunch
12:30 pm – STEM in the Military Panel Discussion

Discover the exciting and varied career opportunities available within the United States military. This panel discussion will feature active duty service members from the Navy, Massachusetts Army National Guard, and Massachusetts Air National Guard. Learn about the unique roles, responsibilities, and experiences of these dedicated professionals. Our panelists will share insights into their daily lives, the skills they’ve acquired, and the personal and professional growth they’ve achieved through their military service.

Key Topics:

Occupational Specialties: Learn about a wide range of military careers, including aviation, engineering, healthcare, intelligence, logistics, and more.
Daily Life and Responsibilities: Gain insights into the typical duties, challenges, and rewards of military service.
Career Development and Opportunities: Discover the educational and professional growth opportunities available within the military.
Benefits and Perks: Learn about the competitive salaries, healthcare benefits, retirement plans, and other advantages of a military career.

Wednesday – STEM and the Great Outdoors

If you are passionate about STEM and its role in environmental conservation and regenerative agriculture, this event is for you! Our event offers a unique opportunity to learn how science, technology, engineering, and mathematics can drive sustainable practices and protect our planet’s resources.

Event Agenda:
10:00 am – Arrival/Check In
10:15 am – Welcome & Information Session
11:00 am – Campus Tour
Noon – Lunch
12:30 pm – STEM in the Great Outdoors Panel Discussion

Discover the exciting world of STEM careers that take place primarily outdoors. This panel discussion will feature professionals from various fields within the STEM spectrum who work in the field, often contributing to groundbreaking research and environmental conservation.

Join us as we explore the diverse roles of experts working with the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) and other organizations. Learn about their daily experiences, the challenges they face, and the rewarding aspects of their work. From environmental scientists and ecologists to engineers and technicians, this panel will showcase the exciting opportunities available for those passionate about the natural world and STEM.

Key topics to be discussed:

The importance of outdoor STEM careers in understanding and protecting our planet
The variety of roles and responsibilities within the field
The challenges and rewards of working outdoors in STEM
The impact of organizations like NEON on environmental research and conservation
Career paths and educational requirements for aspiring outdoor STEM professionals

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain insights into the fascinating world of outdoor STEM careers
1:30 pm – Depart

Thursday – STEM in the Arts

This engaging and inspiring event is tailored for prospective college students interested in graphic and interactive design! Our event includes a unique workshop that highlights the powerful intersection of STEM and the Arts, showcasing how technology and creativity come together to shape innovative design solutions.

Event Agenda:
9:30 am: Arrival/Check In
10:00 am: Welcome & Information Session
10:45 am: Campus Tour
11:30 am-12:30 pm: AI Sketch Presentation
Noon: Lunch
12:30 pm-1:30 pm:

STEM and the Arts Panel Discussion – This thought-provoking panel discussion will explore the exciting and ever-evolving intersection of art and technology. Our esteemed panelists, renowned academics and designers, will share their insights into how advancements in technology are revolutionizing the creative landscape.

Panelists are:

Jeff Warmouth, MFA, Professor/Department Chair, Communications Media School of Arts and Sciences, Fitchburg State University
Jonathan Amakawa, Associate Professor, Communications Media School of Arts and Sciences, Fitchburg State University
Yuko Oda, B.A., M.F.A., Associate Professor, Art & Design Department, Climate Change Initiative, UMass Lowell
Ellen J. Wetmore, Professor, Art & Design Department, College of Fine Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, UMass Lowell

1:30 pm: Depart

Friday – Physics & Engineering

Join us for an exciting day dedicated to aspiring students! Our event offers prospective students a unique opportunity to dive into the dynamic fields of engineering and physics. This event is designed to inspire the next generation of innovators and problem solvers.

Event Agenda:
9:30 am: Arrival/Check In
9:45 am: Welcome & Information Session
10:15 am: Campus Tour
11:00 am: Lunch
11:30 am: Academic Presentation
12:30 pm: Depart