Kent State University at Salem hosted the first of four STEM days for more than 100 freshman and sophomore students from Lisbon and Leetonia high schools as part of Project Inspire.
The students participated in le
arning exercises in nursing, radiology, chemistry, horticulture and human services, led by faculty members in each subject area who exposed them to college-level science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
The STEM days will continue with two additional sessions on the Salem Campus and one on the East Liverpool Campus, welcoming students from school districts across Columbiana County.
Project Inspire is part of a grant project with the Columbiana County Educational Service Center, with funds coming from the Ohio Department of Education. The STEM days are included in the multi-year plan to benefit Columbiana County students.
Kent State Salem’s new virtual reality classroom was a big hit with the students. Through the virtual simulation technology, students could ride an elevator to the top of the Sears Tower in Chicago and when the doors opened, walk a plank suspended from above the ground.
This particular use of virtual reality technology focuses on phobias and can be expanded to include fears of spiders, snakes, flying or other situations.
Future STEM days on the Columbiana County campuses will include students from East Liverpool and Beaver Local high schools, as well as additional high school and middle school students from Leetonia.
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Photo A: Lisbon High School students attended STEM day on the Salem Campus
Photo B: A student “walks the plank” during a virtual reality exercise
Photo C: Leetonia High School students attended STEM day on the Salem Campus