Innovation Week Sparks STEM Interest for Seventh Graders
OKLAHOMA CITY — Over 1,300 seventh graders are diving into hands-on experiments during Innovation Week at Science Museum Oklahoma, aimed at igniting interest in STEM careers.
For three days, students from nine schools are engaged in activities that cover science, technology, engineering, and math. London Olawumi from the Oklahoma City Innovation District emphasized the importance of reaching students at this pivotal stage in their lives. “For seventh graders, that’s a really formative time. We’ve invited about 22 partners to provide hands-on activities,” she said.
Jess Bamberg, a recruitment coordinator at OU Health Campus, shared an example of the experiments available. “One focuses on electrical currents. Students can connect themselves to complete an electrical circuit,” she explained.
From robotics to electricity generation and virtual reality, students are exploring various STEM fields. Azariah Lockett, a student from Harding Charter Prep, expressed his enthusiasm: “My favorite part of science is learning new things.” When asked if he felt like a scientist, Lockett affirmed, “Yes,” and shared his dream of becoming a football player.
Organizers hope that Innovation Week will help students expand their visions for their futures. Olawumi noted, “If they can see themselves in it, then they understand they can be it.”
