Our STEM Day will take place on Wednesday, February 16th, 2022. The program and activities are for high school juniors and seniors who are interested in STEM. Teachers and parents must RSVP for their students by November 30th, 2021. (Space is limited and will be given in the order that the RSVP is received.) More information will be shared in January for those that RSVP. We truly hope you can join us!
Start your future at Friends.
Our program will begin around 8:30 a.m. It will include a keynote speaker, hands-on STEM activities and a FREE lunch. We will plan on completing all activities by 2:30 p.m.
Feel free to contact Amy Morgan at 316-295-5818 or amy_morgan@friends.edu with any questions.
Keynote Speaker
Our keynote speaker for the STEM event is Kantis Simmons. You can read more about Kantis below in his bio:
Former NASA Scientist, Renown Speaker and Author, Kantis Simmons is on a mission.
With a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Norfolk State University (Norfolk, VA), a Master of Science degree in Polymer Science & Engineering from Lehigh University (Bethlehem, PA), and a Master of Science degree in Textile and Fiber Engineering from Georgia Tech (Atlanta, GA), he’s passionate about science and education. Kantis’ career includes developing new products for Mobil Chemical Company (Covington, GA), creating new contact lens products for CIBA Vision (Johns Creek, GA), and improving aircrafts, space shuttles and military jets for NASA Langley Research Center (Langley, VA). After more than a decade of working in the lab solving scientific problems for the government and corporate industries, today he travels the world solving the problems of students, parents, educators, schools, and colleges by delivering speeches, creating courses, and writing books. Growing up with a birth defect and all the mental discomfort that comes with that, audiences readily respond when Kantis shares his humorous and proven 7.25 Secrets on academic success, college readiness, and STEM education. To see Kantis in action, read his advice, watch his videos, or hear of his success stories visit KantisSimmons.com.
Hands-on Activities
A list of STEM Day activities is below:
Adventures in 3D Printing
Students will get to design a snowflake ornament and a custom cell phone case. The ornament will be printed using our 3D printer and will be sent to the student after STEM day. Both electronic files will be given to the student to take with them.
Escape Extinction
Solve the clues to find the hidden keys needed to save species from extinction in this escape-room activity focused on animals from around the world
DNA Analysis
Create a DNA Necklace using your own DNA from the cheek cells in your saliva. The isolated DNA will be precipitated and put in an actual necklace the students can take home with them and wear.
Smelting Copper
Using heat and two common compounds, participants will learn how to make pure copper metal without relying on rare deposits that form in nature. Participants in this activity will be required to wear the PPE provided.
Escape room Puzzle
Solve puzzles, riddles, and crack cryptographic codes as you work to reveal hidden secrets with your team around the war-table in multiple escape room style scenarios.
Cellfie: Take a picture of your microscopic self.
When have you taken your most recent selfie? I’m guessing you do this often. Have you ever taken a picture of your microscopic self? If not, this section is for you! You will isolate your cells, view them under a microscope, and take pictures to share with friends and family.
Forensic Science – Drug Identification
Students will test suspicious substances to detect and identify drugs using inexpensive chemicals and expensive instruments.
Origami Octahedron Making
Are your students excited by the combination of math and art? In this session students will learn how to fold squares of origami paper and attach them together to create a 3-dimensional octahedron. Each student will create their own unique octahedron.
A Magical Intro. to Artificial Intelligence
Do you want to experience the power of artificial intelligence? In this session, you will learn computer code that uses artificial intelligence to absorb famous works of literature and then produce original passages based on them.
Come Code with Me
Don’t just play computer games, write them!! You will learn to do some basic coding to create a single-player computer game using C#. No previous programming experience required! Basic keyboarding skills required.
All Washed Up
Making soap using Chemistry? You can turn common fats into soap by using a chemical reaction. The science behind soap making is in the structure of the fats! The soap will be sent to students after it has had time to cure.
The Art of Anatomy
Learn to capture the essence of the human body. Students will gain a better understanding of anatomy by drawing muscle and skeletal models.
All Washed Up
Making soap using Chemistry? You can turn common fats into soap by using a chemical reaction. The science behind soap making is in the structure of the fats! The soap will be sent to students after it has had time to cure.