JEP STEM Hosts After-school Workshops that dive into two STEM careers

In an ever-evolving world where science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) play a pivotal role in shaping our future, the need to inspire and educate the next generation of innovators and problem solvers is more pressing than ever.

This Fall 2023 semester the JEPSTEM Education programs, in partnership with both USC Professors and funding partners, delved into a dynamic educational initiative that goes beyond the classroom, immersing young minds in two of the many worlds of STEM through engaging after-school workshops. These workshops not only introduced students to the fascinating realms of two distinct STEM careers but also provided them with hands-on experiences, igniting their passion and curiosity for these fields. As we navigate the digital age and the challenges it brings, fostering a love for STEM is paramount, and these workshops offer an additional opportunity to encourage the students we work with to pursue fields that could guide us towards a brighter, more technologically advanced future.The two STEM careers that the after-school workshops focused on this semester were neurobiology and alternative energy but specifically hydrogen cars. 

Neurobiology Workshop

Brains were the topics of interest  for our neurobiology workshop, held on Sept 27th at the 32nd St. USC Performing Arts Magnet School. Dozens of fourth and fifth grade students attended and learned about the components of the brain, how neurons and action potentials work, how proteins move around the brain and how they are traced and so much more. This workshop was a part of USC professor Dr. Sarah Bottjer’s National Science Foundation grant-funded effort to teach neurobiology to elementary school students.  Dr. Bottjer’s research focuses on the brains of songbirds and how they change if their environment is altered during sensitive times of development. The curriculum was designed by Rita Barakat and is targeted towards upper elementary aged students, in alignment with the NGSS for fourth grade. One student in Ms. Kim’s 5th grade class remarked that they attended this workshop because “their brother has cerebral palsy, a different brain than others, and it made them interested to know why”.

Hyundai Hydrogen Workshop

The JEP STEM programs co-hosted a hydrogen car workshop with corporate sponsor, Hyundai Motor Company. Fifth grade students from across all of our seven partner schools were welcomed onto USC’s campus to build hydrogen powered cars with real automotive engineers and educators from Horizon Educational, a frequent partner of Hyundai Motor Company and the manufacturers of the hydrogen car kits. These engineers and educators showed students how to build the car from top to bottom and then when everyone was finished, we raced them to see whose car was designed the best! Hyundai also brought one of their full-size, street legal hydrogen powered cars called the Nexo to the event. The students were able to explore the car inside and out and even sit in the passenger seat. The kids took home mini cars and certificates at the end of the event to commemorate their experience. Judging by the enthusiasm and success of the students there were lots of future engineers at this event! It was amazing to see!

The JEP STEM Education Programs are grateful to all of those whose support has made these Fall 2023 opportunities possible, and as always, continue to look for new ways to expand the number of students we are able to reach with our programming.