STEM-ology Community Program Bridges STEM and Engagement at UW

STEM-ology, one of the University of Wyoming’s newest engagement programs, has proven to be successful, drawing more than 370 participants, including visitors from out of state.

The monthly series of themed science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) events offers hands-on learning experiences -- featuring Toddler Tuesdays, Senior Science Fridays and Science Saturdays -- for all ages.

STEM-ology has quickly gained community interest and enthusiasm, highlighting the impact of cross-program collaborations and high-impact learning experiences. The free public activities are a collaborative effort among many groups on UW’s campus, including the Wyoming NASA Space Grant Consortium Science Kitchen and Science Initiative Roadshow.

“Our STEM-ology series aims to spark curiosity, inspire creativity and make STEM fun and interactive while highlighting incredible research conducted at UW,” says Ashleigh Pilkerton, community engagement and undergraduate research programming coordinator for UW’s Science Initiative. “We are bridging the gap between STEM and our community, fostering collaboration across campus and connecting researchers, programs and the broader community in meaningful and impactful ways.”

The STEM-ology series was created and spearheaded by four people -- Karagh Brummond, Megan Candelaria, Erin Klauk and Pilkerton -- across the Science Initiative Roadshow and Community Engagement Program, and the Wyoming NASA Space Grant Consortium.

With support from scientists, educators, graduate students and undergraduates, STEM-ology events provide interactive experiences that connect research with the public. These individuals are trained in best practices across numerous university programs to develop hands-on, engaging STEM lessons that link science concepts and research with interactive activities. February’s events explored oceanology, while March focused on physiology.

Toddler Tuesday

Parents have praised Toddler Tuesdays for providing an engaging, early STEM learning experience.

“Of all of the little kid activities I’ve attended in this town, this was hands down one of the best led. All of the staff were enthusiastic, engaging and super attentive,” one parent says.

February’s “A Whaley Good Time” introduced toddlers to whales and dolphins through hands-on activities, playful movement and ocean-themed fun. March’s “Tiny Hands, Big Heart” gave little ones the chance to explore human anatomy, learning how organs function through movement-based play and discovery.

Senior Science Friday

Designed for older adults, Senior Science Friday offers an exciting way to explore science in a social setting. Each session encourages hands-on participation and lively discussions.

“Of course, I wanted more time and am still thinking about my design and how to actually make it work, which says a lot about how engaging the activity was,” says one participant. “It was clever, fun and tied in so well with the theme. And, if I couldn’t win, I love that a very non-science person did. I’m already looking forward to the next one.”

February’s “Love Bites” took a deep dive into romance beneath the waves, exploring how marine creatures -- from devoted partners to unexpected suitors -- find love in the sea. March’s “Mind Over Matter” focused on the brain’s capabilities, featuring activities on bee physiological adaptations and a hands-on weather station building activity.

Science Saturday

Science Saturday offers a day of interactive exploration for all ages. February’s oceanology theme let attendees explore marine life through squid dissections, plankton races, marine bird adaptations and ocean acidification experiments. Christopher North, associate director of UW’s Life Sciences Program, highlighted his marine biology research in the Bering Sea and hosted the “Great Plankton Race,” where participants competed to create the slowest-sinking plankton model.

March’s physiology theme gave guests the chance to examine brains, hearts and eyes through hands-on dissections, while also uncovering the secret world of insect physiology. The program featured a research highlight talk by Nellie Bruns, a UW kinesiology and health associate professor. She led hands-on dissections of sheep hearts.

“Our lab’s research on the importance of heart health needs to be accessible to all, including children and their families,” Bruns says. “The STEM-ology physiology day was a fun and rewarding way to share and connect with the community in helping to achieve this goal.”

STEM-ology events exemplify the synergy between many on-campus programs that provide unique opportunities to engage the public in cutting-edge science, Pilkerton says.

“By bringing together researchers, educators and students from diverse disciplines, STEM-ology highlights the interconnectedness of research and education, demonstrating how UW’s STEM core facilities, programs and researchers contribute to meaningful public engagement,” she adds. “This initiative not only highlights groundbreaking research, but also inspires the next generation of scientists and STEM enthusiasts by making complex topics accessible, interactive and exciting.”

Future STEM-ology events will continue to inspire curiosity, with upcoming themes of geology Tuesday, April 8, for Toddler Tuesday; Friday, April 11, for Senior Science Friday; Saturday, April 12, for Science Saturday; and space-ology Tuesday, May 6, for Toddler Tuesday; Friday, May 9, for Senior Science Friday; and Saturday, May 10, for Science Saturday.

“The success of STEM-ology is driven by the tremendous efforts of faculty, staff, graduate students and undergraduate students who dedicate their time to making science engaging and accessible,” Pilkerton says.

To view a complete list of contributing program partners and volunteers, click here.

For more information, email Pilkerton at stemsandbox@uwyo.edu or visit www.wyomingspacegrant.org/stem-ology/.