The Wayne State University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, College of Education, and College of Engineering will co-host the university's inaugural STEM Day on Tuesday, March 14 on WSU’s campus. STEM focuses on science, technology, engineering and math and seeks to create new pathways for students to work toward careers in those key areas.

Sixth- through ninth-grade students are invited to participate in two hands-on interactive sessions covering a range of STEM studies. In addition to the sessions, attendees are invited to fully experience Wayne State through campus tours and a complementary lunch. STEM Day is free and open to teachers and their classes, as well as individual and home schooled students.

“It’s great to see Wayne State University take a leading role in bringing middle school students to its campus to learn about STEM,” said State Superintendent Brian Whiston. “Initiatives like STEM Day will go a long way toward creating a skilled workforce and charting a path of success for all Michigan students, and helping Michigan become a Top 10 education state in 10 years.”

The program is designed to bring the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics to life with hands-on interactive sessions. Activities will include fire tornados, seaweed tissue repair, planetarium shows, liquid nitrogen ice cream, and walking on water, among many others. In addition, students will have an opportunity to compete in a Pie Off competition against the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences for prizes from the Grand Traverse Pie Company in celebration of Pi Day.

“We’re expecting 1,000 teachers and students on our campus for the inaugural STEM Day,” said Julie Hasse, Wayne State’s manager of student outreach and content strategy. “We’re thrilled by the initial response to this important event, and we’re excited that so many students from Detroit and surrounding communities will be able to experience these unique activities related to STEM.”

For a full description of all STEM sessions and activities, and other important event information, go to https://wayne.edu/stemday/sessions/.