Inspiring Tomorrow’s Scientists
At higher education institutions all over the world, faculty are constantly conducting research that impacts human life. But what if those researchers never considered science as a career path? What if their young minds found the concepts difficult in school and didn’t grasp the surprise of science? Young people need mentors in science to spark their curiosity and ignite the possibility of life-changing discoveries.
UNC Greensboro (UNCG) showcases its science mentors as departments work together to host the family-friendly community event, Science Everywhere. On April 22 from noon to 4:00 pm, the UNCG campus opens to the public with 50 activity tables of interactive experiments, tours of science research labs, and presentations by student and faculty scientists. The event is free, and all are welcome.
Science on the Rise
Science Everywhere is UNCG’s event for the North Carolina Science Festival, a month-long celebration of science in April designed to engage youth in interactive activities and experiments and encourage their pursuit of science-related careers.
“Science Everywhere is an opportunity for UNCG to welcome neighbors of all ages to our university to experience hands-on science and technology presented by our students and faculty,” explains Jerry Walsh, professor of chemistry and biochemistry and Science Everywhere director.
The RISE Network (Research and Instruction in STEM Education), a coalition of UNCG faculty members who work together to promote STEM education (science, technology, engineering, mathematics), created Science Everywhere nine years ago.
The first director of RISE, Lynn Sametz, is still involved with the planning of Science Everywhere. She says although it has grown over the years, the goals haven’t changed: engage the community in science by showing how we all use “some form of science” every day and showcase UNCG’s faculty, staff, and students.
“The first program reached over 1000 people on a rainy Saturday afternoon,” says Sametz. “Since that time, Science Everywhere has grown to over 60 events, and prior to the pandemic, we had about 5000 learners of all ages on campus engaging in hands-on, minds-on science.”
COVID restrictions moved the event to a virtual outreach beginning in 2020, but now that it is back in person, the University has new facilities and science applications to share with the community.
The Art of Science
This year, Science Everywhere will expand from STEM to STEAM, to include artistic disciplines.
“In addition to traditional science exhibitions, visitors will see how science and technology applies to art, music, and sports,” says Walsh.
Exhibits will feature science-related artwork like microscope creations or “Nano Art” presented by the Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering (JSNN); music faculty will have activities relating to the ability to hear; and the Kinesiology Department will run experiments of physical fitness in Coleman Gym.
“Tours of working faculty research labs are new this year,” Walsh says. “Peek behind closed doors at labs where impactful research is taking place. Or take a tour of UNCG’s newest facility on campus, the state-of-the-art Nursing and Instructional Building, and learn about its teaching technologies.”
UNCG will also open the Esports Arena and Learning Lab to the public for the day. Local youth will be thrilled with this access to the new video gaming arena, which is usually only open to Spartan students. There, they can learn about the videogaming and esports studies minor offered by the University, which prepares students for careers in the emerging esports industry.
“At Science Everywhere, we are engaging learners in activities to demonstrate how intertwined and interdependent many fields of study really are,” Sametz says.
Science Everywhere, All at Once
The action kicks off on the evening of April 21st with a Star Party at the Three College Observatory. This is a popular, reservation-only event, which currently has a waitlist. Those with reservations will gaze at the night sky over Greensboro using a 32-inch telescope and learn about the stars from local astronomers.
On Saturday, April 22, campus buildings between College Avenue and Tate Street, along Spring Garden, and on Walker Avenue will all be open from noon to 4:00pm with engaging activities and exhibits for all ages and interests.
Elementary school children will love making carbonation for lemonade, launching rockets or identifying animal bones. Participating in hands-on experiments gives them a different perspective on a curriculum that may be difficult to grasp in the classroom.
Middle school and high school students can design and program robots, and tour chemistry or biology labs. The event also gives older students a taste of a college campus and the resources available to UNCG students.
“We hope to spark the curiosity of young minds and inform them about STEM-related careers,” says Walsh. “It is satisfying to find youth in our own community who can be inspired by science at an event like Science Everywhere.”
Story by Becky Deakins, University Communications. Photography by Jiyoung Park, unless otherwise noted.
Join us for Science Everywhere on April 22!
Click the button above for campus maps and activity details to identify stations of special interest.
Parking is free in the McIver Parking Deck, the Walker Parking Deck, and other marked locations.
Upon arrival, find one of the conveniently located Welcome Stations, and pick up a postcard with directions to Science Everywhere activities. This postcard is designed so children can collect stamps for each activity. The Spartan Chariot bus provides free campus transportation as visitors move from building to building, collecting stamps on their postcards.
