Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) occupations are growing at twice the rate of other occupations*, and in West Virginia it is predicted there will be a need for 25,000 new STEM workers by 2018**.
NASA’s Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V) Program is inviting seventh grade students and their teachers to attend the educational and fun-filled STEM Day in the Park at the West Virginia High Technology Foundation’s Research Center.
Schools may choose to attend either Wednesday, October 5th or Thursday, October 6th from 9:00 AM to 12:00 noon.
Students will be participating in hands on STEM activities and talking with NASA engineers, the FBI, the Robert C. Byrd Institute, ERC staff and many more. Topics covered include NASA missions such as the James Webb Space Telescope, the OSIRIUS-Rex mission to an asteroid and the MMS mission to study Sun-Earth connections. Stations on 3-D Printing, rocketry and robots are also among the activities included.
Space is limited to 250 students per day. Homeschool groups are also welcome. To schedule your classroom or your entire 7th grade please contact one of the following as soon as possible:
jaime.ford@ivv.nasa.gov or pamela.casto@ivv.nasa.gov
Note: If the number of 7th graders is below 250 each day, the program will accept 8th grade students.
* according to recent U. S. Department of Commerce research.
** as reported recently by The Education Alliance