SIUE Students to Showcase Impactful Summer Spent Inspiring STEM Learning
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students shared their passion for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) with students across the region this summer, laying the foundation for student learning in rapidly advancing STEM fields.
The students spread their knowledge by participating in STEM-related internships through the SIUE Robert J. Noyce Scholarship Science and Math Grants. They will present their experiences and accomplishments at the second annual Noyce Summer Internship Showcase in SIUE’s Morris University Center, Meeting Room A from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25.
The grants are funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and provide 14 $2,500 summer internships for 200 hours of in-service training for qualified SIUE freshmen and sophomores, and local community college students who are interested in STEM careers. The internships are coordinated through the SIUE STEM Center.
“Our 2015 internship sites included SIUE Science Odyssey, Engineering and Healthcare Camps, Edwardsville School District 7 Summer Zone, East St. Louis Center Upward Bound, Adler Planetarium, Lincoln Memorial Gardens & Nature Center, Saint Louis Science Center and Elite Scholars,” said Sharon Locke, director of the SIUE STEM Center.
“Science is about discovery and curiosity! Our students are motivated to teach K-12 students that science is fun. The goal of these summer programs was to build interest in STEM fields by offering younger students creative and interactive activities. The internships also provided SIUE students with an opportunity to share their love of science through teaching.”
Noyce intern Valerie Becker, an SIUE sophomore physics major, participated in an astronomy camp in Mascoutah, District 7 Summer Zone and SIUE’s engineering camp.
“Ever since I was a child, I’ve always asked ‘why’ to everything,” Becker said. “My participation in these programs was a continuation of my adventurous wonderment. I loved seeing students find new discoveries and breakthroughs, and get excited about learning.”
“I was able to develop lesson plans, organize activities and manage supplies for the camps I participated in,” she continued. “Critical thinking and problem solving are a key part of life, and that’s what STEM topics encourage.”
Fellow intern Gabriel Msengi, a junior biochemistry major, aspires to conduct research in the healthcare field and work on drug synthesis. He participated in District 7 Summer Zone, teaching lessons on topics such as buoyancy, robotics, predators and prey, and the five senses.
“I wanted to show students that there is more to science than crazy math,” Msengi said. “There is science in every day life, whether it be looking at a crime scene or exploring the five senses.
“There are so many advancements in the STEM fields. The more people focus and study these subjects, the more doors will open and progress will be made.”
Photo: Students explore and discover using telescopes at Astronomy Camp in Mascoutah.
Participating Noyce interns in District 7 Summer Zone (L-R) Aaron Morris, Gabriel Msengi, Deanna Grant, Robert Mueller, Valerie Becker and Gretchen Werner pose with Noyce intern coordinator Elisabeth Knierim.
