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James Richmann, a seventh grade student at Bolden Elementary and Middle School, presents his robot project during the STEMposium, April 10. Seventh and eighth grade students chose between developing a robot or video game, developing their science, technology, engineering and math skills.

Photo by Cpl. Sarah Cherry

Tri-Command children branch out with STEMposium

21 Apr 2014 | Cpl. Sarah Cherry Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort

Bolden Elementary and Middle School held their second STEMposium, an event focused on introducing students to science, technology, engineering and math projects and career fields, April 9 through 11.
 
The STEMposium is a three-day event including a career day, a student project competition, and an award ceremony.
 
“We know for a fact that this is what the kids need,” said Javier Graham, STEMposium coordinator and video production teacher at Bolden. “They’re so engaged.”
 
This year is the schools second year holding the STEMposium.
 
“I can see advancement from what I saw last year,” said Graham. “The kids are adding more coding, costumes, figures and characters. There’s a definite increase in [skill].”
 
Each grade had a different focus for this project. Sixth-grade students had a NASA project building rockets, satellites and solar ovens for a trip to the moon. Seventh and eighth grade students built robots and computer games.
 
The day students presented their projects and the previous day, professionals talked to students about different STEM career paths and their value.
 
“All of our equipment within the explosive ordnance disposal field deals with science, technology, engineering and math” said Master Sgt. Jason Chrjapin, explosive ordnance disposal technician. “The next robot designer for the EOD field is out there somewhere. They could quite possibly be here at this elementary school.”
 
According to the U.S. Department of Education, the United States position as a global leader is reliant on youth pursuing STEM careers and interests.
 
“This is America’s next generation” said Staff Sgt. Timothy Golden, EOD technician. “Investing in them [with STEM education] might spark an interest in learning so that they’ll want to educate themselves more than just the bare basics.”