KANNAPOLIS — Rowan-Cabarrus Community College invites people of all ages to its second annual STEM Open House at the college’s teaching facility on the North Carolina Research Campus.
On Friday, from 2 to 5 p.m., the college will open its doors to the community for an interactive event showcasing the college’s science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs.
The STEM Open House will be held at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College’s building on the North Carolina Research Campus at 399 Biotechnology Lane in Kannapolis.
“Almost everything we do in life involves STEM, but not everyone realizes it,” said Dr. Marcy Corjay, dean of the college’s science, biotechnology, mathematics and information technologies, in a college press release. “Science deals with our natural and physical world. Technology has given us iPads, smart phones and computers we use every single day. Engineering includes building things. Mathematics ranges from financial decisions to gaming strategies, such as playing pool or engaging in games of logic.”
The college will have dozens of interactive exhibits for kids and adults of all ages to dazzle the senses and stir curiosity for all things STEM. The community will have the opportunity to perform DNA extraction in the college’s science labs, help a robot disarm a simulated bomb and even engage in making bouncy balls and firefighting.
“The STEM Open House is a true celebration of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math,” said Dr. Carol S. Spalding, president of Rowan-Cabarrus, in the press release. “One of my goals since coming to Rowan-Cabarrus is to increase the breadth and depth of our STEM education. I fully believe that everyone can be interested in STEM – and that it’s critical that we embrace these subjects. America used to be the leader in technology and innovation. It’s time for us to reclaim that role.”
The exhibits will be extremely diverse – everything from the complexity of balancing pH in dying hair to the chemistry of making ice cream and how to develop video games that use race cars and fire trucks.
“Holding this event at our building on the North Carolina Research Campus (NCRC) makes a lot of sense. Our NCRC building is the home of our biotechnology and nursing programs – two of STEM intensive curriculum,” Spalding said.
Surrounding public and private schools will be busing in students for the occasion. The target audience for this open house is broader than it has been for open houses of the past. In addition to attracting more traditional-aged prospective students, the press release said, the college wants younger children to attend with their parent.
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College’s STEM Open House will be one of the many events occurring as part of the N.C. Science Festival taking place from April 5-21. Events throughout the state are designed to bring science to life for students and their parents.
Given that STEM is an important focus for Rowan-Cabarrus, the college has committed to play a large role in the N.C. Science Festival. Locally, the college has coordinated with other universities, schools and groups in Kannapolis to design events that will appeal to the whole community (www.cityofkannapolis.com/celebratescience).
For more information about this event or to bring students from school, please contact Dr. Marcy Corjay at marcy.corjay@rccc.edu or 704-216-7217.
For more information about Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, please visit www.rccc.edu.