Jenna Buzzacco-Foerster
Go ahead. Play another round of Angry Birds in the courtyard. It’s for science (and technology, engineering and math).
The Orlando Science Center and the Motorola Solutions Foundation are teaming up to host 2016 STEM Day at the Florida Capitol. The annual event aims to raise awareness about the importance of STEM — or science, technology, engineering and mathematics — education in Florida.
Jeff Stanford, the vice president of marketing for the Orlando Science Center, said the event is all about “engagement and advocacy.” This is the third year the center has hosted STEM Day, and Stanford said the response continues to be “very positive.”
“I think people are having a good time,” he said. “I think we’re raising awareness and changing perspectives about STEM.”
That’s important because STEM concepts can be a some times be little tough to wrap your head around, said Matt Blakely, the executive director of Motorola Solutions Foundation. But hands-on displays, like the ones that will be set up all over the statehouse Thursday, can make it a little easier for everyone to digest.
In January, there were 70,430 job openings in STEM occupations in Florida. That was up 4 percent from the same time in 2015. Nationwide, the number of job posting in STEM occupations increased 3.2 percent year over year.
Stanford said representatives from participating organizations will have one-on-one meetings with the lawmakers throughout the day to discuss their support for STEM projects. But that isn’t the only way organizers are hoping to convince lawmakers and other visitors STEM education and careers isn’t just about lab work.
There’s Angry Birds in the courtyard, where discussions about trajectory are likely to ensue. A game of Operation might teach you a bit about science, so long as you don’t bump the edges and get buzzed out.
Ever wanted to pilot an underwater robot? There’s an interactive display for that. Drug discovery robots from the Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute will be on display. There will be simulators and musical tesla coils; FIRST robotics teams and ingenious students who designed a prosthetic leg for a 3-year-old German shepherd.
Students at a Flagler County school teamed up to design a leg for dog who lost his left front leg after an automobile accident. The winning team will get to use the school’s 3D printer to create a leg for the pup. The project is funded thanks to the help of a Motorola Solutions Innovation Group, which was made possible by the Flagler County Education Foundation.
That project and the importance of STEM education for will be highlighted during a press conference at 11 a.m. in the Florida state Capitol courtyard.
“What I’m hoping (people will) take away from this is STEM education is not only for the future of businesses, but also accessible and very fun and very engaging,” said Blakely.
