Project BEST (Building Excitement for Science and Technology), a nonprofit organization comprised of students who attend Fairfax County’s Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, is hosting a STEM conference for middle school students March 1.
The Science Innovation and Inspiration Youth Conference (ScI2YC) will be held at Hughes Middle School in Fairfax County from 8:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
At the conference, middle school students will be able to participate in hands-on and interactive activities based on three macro-themes. The themes include neuroscience, where students will learn about chemotherapy and biopsy techniques in brain surgery simulations; classical mechanics in physics, where students will learn about gravity, angular and linear momentum, and conservation of energy in interactive labs using tools such as bicycle wheel gyroscopes and spinning tables; and civil engineering, which focuses on students will follow engineering processes of designing, building and testing to create bridge structures.
Guest speakers are set to include Edward Swallow, a STEM workforce expert and vice president of business development of the civil systems division of Northrop Grumman’s Information Systems Sector; Rich Walker, program manager at L-3 Unmanned Systems; and local neuroscientists and engineers.
Swallow will also be offering his perspective about STEM March 8, 2014 at WashingtonExec‘s inaugural STEM Symposium. The event promises to bring together more than 500 K-12 students, parents and industry professionals to talk about STEM education and careers. Leidos will serve as the event’s presenting sponsor.
Project BEST conducts interactive programs, workshops and runs after-school chapters in 17 locations across Fairfax County and the nation to help students link STEM to their everyday lives.
Hughes Middle School is located at 11401 Ridge Heights Road in Reston.
Public registration for the conference is limited to 50 seats on a first-come, first-served basis. Interested students and parents can register to attend at http://tinyurl.com/ScI2ycReg. For additional information, contact projectbest.usa@gmail.com.
