Aerospace demos launch schoolwide STEM interest

     Space programs affect daily life, whether you’re an astronaut, a rocket scientist, a farmer or a student in Holyoke schools. As students learned at Holyoke’s Aug. 30 STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) day, aerospace technology has been applied to many things in everyday life, such as cellphones or cancer screenings.
    So while aerospace was at the center of the day’s program, students were frequently reminded that careers in STEM fields extend beyond aerospace and careers in aerospace involve more than just STEM.
    A panel of people employed by Lockheed Martin traveled to Holyoke to put on the program for everyone from kindergarten through 12th grade. Yes, about half were engineers or even real-life rocket scientists, but others work in government relations and internal communications. As one Holyoke student made sure to find out, there are even artists employed by Lockheed Martin. “Any career that you’re thinking about, it exists in aerospace,” students were assured.
    Speakers identified themselves as space nerds, Star Wars fans and video game enthusiasts, and it was clear that students found them instantly relatable, whether interested in STEM fields or not.
    STEM day was divided into a JR/SR high portion Thursday morning and elementary that afternoon. Over the lunch hour, local business owners and managers were invited to a roundtable with Congressman Ken Buck to discuss issues affecting Colorado businesses. Buck also spoke to students about the importance of STEM education.
    Students had the opportunity to learn about the work being done on the Orion spacecraft — from people directly involved with it — and the ongoing efforts to send people to Mars. Of course, they didn’t take that at face value. Inquisitive minds were quick to ask why it’s even important to go to Mars.
    Speakers also offered some practical advice. They emphasized the importance of networking, even in clubs as students. They also encouraged students to say “yes” to any opportunity that comes their way. They were quick to point out that even engineers and rocket scientists face setbacks, change career directions and have to work their way up through the ranks.
    Hands-on activities rounded out the day, and students were quite enthusiastic about what Lockheed Martin had to offer them. Students were taken to the practice field to set off water rockets — 2-liter bottles launched with bike pumps. They were challenged to explore which strategies work best. They answered questions such as, “Is more fuel always better?”
    Inside, some students participated in a rocket sled activity that demonstrated how rockets are propelled through a vacuum. They also got to try out a virtual reality system and learned about how such technology is used to solve real-world problems.
    Information about the Colorado Space Business Roundtable summer internship program was presented, and interested students were encouraged to apply. Though STEM day is finished, Superintendent Kyle Stumpf said the district is hoping it will springboard some things for the future.