From Rotary District 7430
Pictured above: Building a model of a habitat where we could live on Mars.
An amazing four-day STEM Youth Explorer Academy was held at Kutztown University July 9-12 for aspiring 8th-grade students. Rotary Clubs in District 7430 came together to sponsor students from schools in Montgomery, Bucks, Berks, Lehigh, and Northampton counties. Students explore, experiment, and engage with new subject areas to ignite their imaginations and grow their enthusiasm for learning. In addition to developing leadership skills, Tower Health resources provided CPR, Stop the Bleed, and bicycle safety courses. Sixty-four students from 28 middle schools participated thanks to scholarships provided by 25 Rotary Clubs.
At the celebration dinner, Mars Habitat projects were displayed to parents and friends. The Celebration included comments from Dr. Laurie McMillan, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Kutztown University. Students received a certificate and class picture from Rotary District 7430 District Governor Jeremiah Sensening.
STEM YEA is a Rotary District 7430-wide cooperation, formed by an exploratory team of Rotarians with various skill sets to develop and implement an opportunity for students interested in STEM. STEM YEA delivers more than science, technology, engineering, and mathematics concepts. This enriching opportunity for students develops a variety of skill sets that our rapidly changing world needs.
Alex, a student from Kutztown, said, “I learned how to collaborate and share ideas. If my friends asked me about STEM YEA, I would say “YES!!!”
Gary Englehardt, STEM YEA Volunteer Coordinator, said, “Rotary District 7430 is grateful for the Rotarian volunteers who collaborate to make this academy experience for youth who may lack access to such opportunities. Together, we have provided an event helping to shape the future for our youth by providing not only the STEM YEA experience but also a gateway to other Rotary Youth Leadership Award programs.”
Plans are already underway for 2027 STEM YEA July 8-11, 2027, at Kutztown University. For more information, visit STEMYEA.com or any of our social media sites. Rotary District 7430 offers a variety of youth-focused programs designed to develop leadership skills, promote service, and foster global citizenship. If you are interested in learning more about Rotary District 7430 and our impact, visit rotarydistrict7430.org.
About Rotary District 7430
Rotary District 7430 has 45 Rotary Clubs in Montgomery, Bucks, Berks, Lehigh, and Northampton counties of Southeastern Pennsylvania. Rotary is a global network of 1.4 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change in our communities and in ourselves. Rotary members share a unique passion to act on our world’s most persistent issues.
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