UTEP Student Teachers to Promote Fun with STEM
The event will take place from 10 a.m. to noon at the Sherman Community, 4528 Blanco Ave., and from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the El Paso Public Library Main Branch, 501 N. Oregon St.
Students from The University of Texas at El Paso will promote STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and the practice of scientific inquiry and engineering skills at family-friendly events Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, in El Paso.
The UTEP pre-service elementary student teachers will conduct their programs from 10 a.m. to noon at the Sherman Community, 4528 Blanco Ave., and from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the El Paso Public Library Main Branch, 501 N. Oregon St.
Among the more notable activities will be a demonstration of density as participants use submersibles to help SpongeBob SquarePants find treasures buried under the sea. Another involves a request from video game brothers Mario and Luigi for participants to help design a tepee-shaped roller coaster and build it with reusable materials. Participants also will learn to measure the properties of the materials.
“The goal of our extravaganzas is to present science as fun and exciting, especially to underrepresented populations to include females,” said William Medina-Jerez, associate professor of teacher education. “We use our activities to tap into a child’s natural curiosity and interest in physics and technology. Our efforts aimed at the elementary school level serves as a great introduction to scientific principles.”
These activities are the latest examples of community outreach done by the University under the leadership of Medina-Jerez, who has a long history of directing after-school programs at community center’s managed by the Housing Authority of the City of El Paso. The UTEP instructor also lauded library officials who welcomed the activity in their building.
Information: 915-747-8608 or wjmedinajerez@utep.edu