For Students

STEM in Action

Are you a 7th-12th grader in North Carolina? Come spend a day in Research Triangle Park and engage in fun STEM-focused sessions.

You'll THINK about real-world challenges, IMAGINE yourself in a STEM career through hands-on demonstrations, BUILD to reinforce concepts learned during the day, and MEET with STEM professionals to learn about the many pathways to a STEM career.

Tech Fest! STEM Fests (formerly Expos) brought together students and STEM organizations to explore, engage, and evolve on Friday, November 9, 2018 at The Frontier in Research Triangle Park put on by STEM in the Park. The Fest was broken down into three components. Think: Problem-solving session based on a topic posed by a STEM organization. Groups are 5-7 middle/high school students with 1-5 STEM professionals. Discussion is aided by worksheet that flows through design thinking. Professionals provide guidance and encouragement to students during the session. Short presentation at end of the session to share 1-2 solutions developed by students. Imagine: In this session, STEM professionals engage students by sharing the inner workings of their job through hands-on demos. Meet: STEM professionals engage in multiple short conversations with students to share the real life journey to becoming a STEM professional (formerly called Speed Mentoring) STEM in the Park, a Research Triangle Foundation funded program for students, focusing on underrepresented minorities, girls, and students from low-income backgrounds. STEM in the Park facilitates hands-on mentoring and engagement opportunities with STEM professionals and, for educators, provides half day immersion trips to experience STEM in real-life inside STEM companies around the Triangle region. (©2018 Kevin Seifert Photography | kevin@kevinseifertphotography.com | 919-208-9458) The Research Triangle Park is the largest research park in the United States of America. The Research Triangle Foundation (RTF) is tasked to bring continued economic development through innovation and stewardship of the RTP facilities and property while continuing to create an inclusive community welcoming to the Triangle region and all of North Carolina.
STEM RTP

Think

Think about real-world challenges

STEM RTP

Imagine

Imagine yourself in a STEM career

STEM RTP

Build

Build to reinforce concepts

STEM RTP

Meet

Meet with STEM professionals

STEM Fests occurs twice annually (fall and spring)

EDUCATOR APPLICATIONS OPEN EARLY FALL

Learn more
RTP

Interested in participating?

Students and parents can notify their middle or high school teachers about STEM Fests so they can apply on behalf of your school!

How we do it

Since fall of 2014, our signature student events have served almost 3,000 students

STEM Fests 2018-19 ethnic distribution
STEM Fests 2018-19 gender distribution