CLEVELAND — The Cavs can draw a crowd, but so can science. “Score with STEM” is a partnership with NEOSTEM and the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse.
“We have invited students from all over, from Cleveland and Akron to experience hands on learning and STEM activities,” said Ebony Hood the Director of NEOSTEM.
More than 50 exhibits provided hands-on learning for hundreds of students. Flying NASA’s latest supersonic plane, pedaling to power a light bulb, or controlling robot spheres with just a finger. Some would say this event is fire.
It felt like I was a superhero. Like I was holding fire,” said Nathan Moss, a student who was part of a demonstration. “Like I was for to throw a fireball or something. It was actually cool. Yeah, it’s science.”
“We're working with one another to come up, engaging ways of how we can increase STEM learning in our communities,” said Hood.
This the second year NEOSTEM has brough the area’s industry leaders in the STEM fields together to inspire young minds.
“I'm just attracted to anything from robotics. Everything that I could get my hands on, mixing up paint colors. It's just been amazing,” said Hood.
While the robots showed off their dance moves, kids got their hands messy making eatable play dough out of powdered sugar and butter cream frosting.
“It tastes like a lot of sugar. And it's going to give you a good sugar rush,” said Michelle Lee from Sherwin Williams. “As you can see, it's a little messy, but it is worth it.”
In addition to the learning, the Cavs had discounted tickets for that night’s game.
“We even got a game to go to after this event. So, there are going to be kind of living it up for the moment,” said Hood.
It was events like this that inspired Ebony Hood to get her degree in a STEM field, now she is hoping score with stem will do the same for students and create a strong future for the region.
“I don't want to hear one industry partner saying that we don't have enough people to fill jobs in Cleveland or in our whole Northeast Ohio region because those folks are here now. Our future workforce is here in the building today,” said Hood.
After this year’s turn out, organizers are already about the possibilities for next year.