On January 25th from 8:00 am – 12:00 pm in the E.E. Simmons Gymnasium, Alcorn State University (ASU) hosted their 2020 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Fair and Competition.
STEM Saturday is an annual event where students are able to showcase their talents and knowledge in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. The Fair was dedicated to 5th through 9th grade students from Jefferson County and Claiborne County Schools. Sonia Eley, Instructor of Chemistry and Physics at Alcorn State University, stated, “I have been working with this program for 28 years and we take the curriculum from Jefferson County and Claiborne County Schools and implement it in our STEM Saturday program to help students clearly understand the concepts of their curriculum at school.”
The Fair consisted of nine different categories for scoring. The categories included Behavioral and Social Science, Inorganic Chemistry, Physics and Astronomy, Biochemistry, Organic Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Science, Biomedical and Health Science, Plant Sciences, and Mathematics and Systems Software. Scoring was divided into 13 categories. Students were judged on their purpose statement, problem/question stated, materials listed, procedures listed, procedures explained, results/data graphed, conclusion, research, organization, presentation, knowledge of subject, and reflection of student’s understanding.
Evaluation of student projects and tabulations of scoring were held from 9:00 am – 10:45 am. There were volunteer judges from Jefferson and Claiborne County. Alcorn State’s University’s (ASU) Chemistry Club and ASU Alpha Chi Alpha Organization assisted during judging. Following judging procedures, from 10:45 am – 11:00 am, Alpha Chi Sigma performed a magic show for attendees. President of the Chemistry Club and Senior Biochemistry Pre-Med major from Greenville, Mississippi, Jamiya Coleman, stated, “The Chemistry Club participates in this program every year and my favorite thing to do is the magic show. It’s educational and the kids truly enjoy us doing them.”
Awards and participation certificates were given out at the end of the Fair to students. There were 1st-6th place winners for each category, the top three awards for each grade level, and the top three overall awards. Light refreshments were also provided at the end of the event.