If you’re unfamiliar with STEM, it stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics; in other words, the foundations for a good chunk of education and current career options in the United States. The STEM Center at Allan Hancock College was created in an effort to assist college students throughout their education in these areas. Recently, however, the center started reaching out to children between the ages of 7 and 12.
Paul Murphy, the dean of academic affairs and grant director for the STEM program, said the College for Kids STEM program is designed to tackle two of the most common problems among incoming college students: Many don’t know what collegiate science and math requires, and there’s a very low rate of females in these fields.
As a result, the classes include topics that serve to spark children’s interests while simultaneously exciting them about the nature of science. Rocketry: 3-2-1 Blast Off! gives children the chance to build and launch their own rockets, while also learning about the NASA and other countries’ space programs.
Another class—Electricity, Magnetism, and Motion—gives students the opportunity to build a simple motor-and-gear vehicle to teach them about electricity and magnetism.
When speaking about the STEM program, Janel Case, a former female STEM student who is now studying biomedical engineering at UC San Diego, said, “If a student is passionate about designing a car, or some other end goal, but feels that they are not good at math or science, those skills can be worked on, but it takes knowing that it is possible and the goal is reachable.”
In order to encourage greater female enthusiasm and involvement in these fields, Murphy said that the STEM program is partnering with the Girl Scouts of Santa Maria and Tech Bridge in Oakland (an organization that focuses on science for girls).
“The chief goal is to enhance the children’s critical thinking skills, encourage teamwork, create a sense of accomplishment, and to develop an interest in science,” Murphy said. “It is important that both genders get to explore different academic fields in order to learn the basics of our world and what fields they, as individuals, enjoy the most.”
Ashley Brackett, a STEM counselor, said she finds great value in the program. Through College for Kids, she hopes children will become inspired to start thinking about higher education sooner and consider STEM majors and/or careers in the future.
“Too many young children don’t consider STEM because they were not exposed to math or science in a fun way. These classes allow for learning and fun, and what kid wouldn’t want that?” Brackett said.
The program is also in the process of getting scholarships for students to help low-income first generation students become more involved in STEM. Emmanuel Guerrero, a Hancock STEM instructional assistant, hopes this will encourage more diversity in the fields.
“Low diversity leads to low innovation,” said Guerrero.
Electricity, Magnetism, and Motion meets at Hancock’s Santa Maria campus in Room M-205 on March 7 and March 14 from 9 a.m. to 2:55 p.m. Rocketry: 3-2-1 Blast Off! meets at the Endeavor center on Vandenberg Air Force Base on April 18 and April 25 from 9 a.m. to 2:55 p.m. In-person preregistration is required for both courses through Community Education (Building S), and the courses are $36 a session plus a $9.50 material fee. For more information, call 922-6966, Ext. 3209.
