February 1, 2019

SVSU to host STEM activities, games for Girl Scouts Saturday

Saginaw Valley State University will introduce a group of Girl Scouts to the wonders of science during an all-day event Saturday, Feb. 2.

About 90 girls — from kindergarten to fifth grade students — will participate in SVSU’s third annual STEMapalooza from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Kochville Township campus.

With the help of SVSU faculty, staff and students as well as community partners from Nexteer Automotive, STEMapalooza will engage the girls in a series of science-based exercises and games. Activities will include exploring SVSU’s Gertrude Boutell Greenhouse, investigating the different phases of matter with SVSU’s Biology Club, and building toy roller coasters out of marbles.

“STEMapalooza is a fantastic way to introduce the girls to STEM concepts,” said Adrianne Cole, SVSU’s director of STEM and the event’s coordinator.

“With the gender imbalance in STEM careers, we want to encourage girls to get excited about STEM by visiting campus and working with strong STEM role models, including our own SVSU students.”

The activities largely will take place in SVSU’s Doan Science East building as well as the Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum.

STEMapalooza is funded in part by a $3,120 Nexteer Steering the Future Fund, first established at the Saginaw Community Foundation in 2013.