The Lab’s K-12 STEM Education & Outreach team assisted several events and led site tours of NETL-Morgantown throughout the month of January. The team also attended events surrounding the integration of technology into education in order to understand how the process of learning will change in an increasingly technology-dependent world.

Additionally, representatives from the Lab’s STEM Ambassador program, which seeks to bridge the gap between students and researchers at NETL, shared information with students about the Lab’s capabilities at gatherings and competitions throughout the month to give insight into pursuing a science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) career path.

STEAM Showcase X Network Assembly (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) – The K-12 STEM Education & Outreach team attended a celebratory event held by Remake Learning, the Allegheny Intermediate Unit (AIU) and TransformED Jan. 17. The Remake Learning, AIU and TransformED initiatives all focus on supporting relevant and engaging learning practices in support of young people navigating rapid social and technological change, from hosting workshops to providing professional development services to the suburban school districts of Pennsylvania’s Allegheny County. Team members enjoyed hands-on science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) exploration and a celebration of all things related to innovative learning at the event.

Future City Competition (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) – Several of the Lab’s STEM Ambassadors assisted the Pittsburgh Future City competition Jan. 18, where students were tasked with imagining, researching, designing and building cities of the future that showcased their solution to a citywide sustainability issue. This year’s issue to work around was a threat to their imagined city’s water supply, and the competition called for students to design a resilient system to maintain a reliable supply of water. Jessica Mullen, Debalina Dasgupta, Erin Russell-Story and Jinesh Jain participated as judges in the event.

American Association of Drilling Engineers Tour (Morgantown, West Virginia) – The student chapter of the American Association of Drilling Engineers were given a tour of NETL-Morgantown’s facilities by members of the Lab’s K-12 STEM Education & Outreach team Jan. 24. Students learned of NETL’s capabilities and research areas during the tour.

Science Pro (Corvallis, Oregon) – Science Pro, held on the campus of Oregon State University Jan. 27, allowed career professionals to share information about their science careers with students. The format of the event included both short and long career conversations with students, a career panel where professionals shared information about their specific organization, information sessions, a graduate student reception and more. STEM Ambassador Circe Verba, a research geologist at NETL, attended the event to share information and answer student questions about pursuing a career in STEM.

Trinity High School Tour of NETL-Morgantown (Morgantown, West Virginia) – Students studying computer science at Morgantown’s Trinity High School toured NETL-Morgantown’s facilities Jan. 31. Students received information on NETL’s computing capabilities and insight into a career in computer science during the tour.

NETL’s mission to provide technology solutions for today and options for tomorrow begins by inspiring the next generation of innovators through STEM outreach efforts. Learn more about opportunities and activities here.