After watching her second graders create a lunar landing module out of cardboard, plastic cups, straws and marshmallows, Tracey Yeager said she believes a few future scientists were born that day at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s STEM Education Center.
“One of my strongest takeaways was how engrossed our students were in working through the problem,” said Yeager, who teaches at Franklin Phonetic Primary School in Prescott Valley, Arizona, and has been an educator in the area for over two decades.
Embry-Riddle has made it a mission to introduce young people to the wonders of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). To realize this vision, the university has launched a new STEM Outreach Development initiative that will provide hands-on learning opportunities to students across Yavapai County, home to Embry-Riddle’s Prescott Campus.
The program — which emphasizes diversity, accessibility and inclusion by focusing on girls and groups underrepresented in STEM education — is being supported by the Margaret T. Morris Foundation and the APS Foundation through a combined gift of $55,000, said Tabitha King, STEM outreach director at Embry-Riddle’s Prescott Campus.
“This contribution will empower local youth, creating new opportunities and inspiring the next generation of leaders and innovators,” King said. “Investing in STEM education also prepares students for future careers.”
Embry-Riddle STEM Outreach Director Tabitha King gives students from Acorn Montessori School a lesson about the Earth’s moon. (Photo: Embry-Riddle)
Engaging Yavapai County Students in STEM
Embry-Riddle is launching the initiative with a program called “Girls in STEM.” Under the program, Embry-Riddle faculty, staff and students will engage middle- and high school-aged girls across Yavapai County in a series of project-based workshops in STEM fields.
The first workshop — which will be held on Nov. 2nd — focuses on nanotechnology, the science and engineering of materials on the molecular, atomic or even subatomic scale. The event culminates with a show at the Jim and Linda Lee Planetarium that demonstrates how nanotechnology can impact the growth of various tech-based industries.
The second program planned under the initiative is called “Summer Day Camps for Underrepresented Students.” Beginning in 2025, these camps will provide “immersive STEM experiences” to local students between the ages of 8 and 18. Through workshops, collaborative projects and guest speakers, the camps aim to expose students to STEM subjects while also sparking their curiosity and creativity.
“STEM education is crucial for success in our modern world. It equips students with critical thinking, problem-solving and innovation skills essential for diverse career paths,” said King, who facilitates programs at Embry-Riddle’s STEM Education Center.
Established in 2017, the STEM Education Center has become a vital resource for students and teachers in the Prescott community. STEM courses and workshops are held in labs focused on disciplines such as robotics, space technology and engineering. It also hosts free visits for schools, youth groups and educational organizations in Yavapai County.
Yeager, the second-grade teacher at Franklin Phonetic Primary School, said she discovered the STEM Education Center while researching field trip locations for her students.
“I cannot adequately express how much joy, enthusiasm and learning occurred during our trip,” she said.
To learn more about the STEM Outreach program or inquire about enrollment opportunities, contact STEM Outreach at 928-777-3422 or email prstmout@erau.edu.
Posted In: Institutional News
