Housatonic Community College (HCC) participated in a celebration of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (STEAM) on Wednesday, November 7th and Thursday, November 8th.
This exciting event provided an opportunity for engagement and exchange with STEAM professionals, and featured a lecture, a panel discussion, presentations, and numerous exhibitors who provided hands-on activities and interactive demonstrations. Attendees had the chance to meet representatives from colleges and universities offering STEAM programming, and to visit the University of Bridgeport – Discovery Museum STEM on Wheels bus - a mobile laboratory offering hands-on experiences.
Rachel Cain, STEAM Initiatives Coordinator for HCC, said that STEAM Fest informed and inspired those interested in STEAM careers, and provided a chance to learn about the educational programs available to help reach their career goals. She noted that STEAM Fest also offered the opportunity to showcase some of the incredible cutting-edge work that HCC students and alumni are doing in the field.
The event began on Wednesday, November 7th with a welcome from Robin Avant, Dean of Academic Affairs and pioneer of bringing STEAM programming to HCC. Dr. Marie Robert, Professor of Pathology and Medicine at Yale University School of Medicine, and trailblazer for women in the field, delivered the keynote address. Dr. Robert is also a specialist in liver transplant pathology, and her research includes inflammatory bowel diseases, celiac disease, stromal responses in pancreatic cancer and colitis induced by immune therapies. Following her address, a discussion of exciting research and technological findings were delivered by a panel of HCC students and alumni. There were also interactive demonstrations in STEAM careers.
On Thursday, November 8th, the fun continued with a showcase of HCC student research findings and a STEAM College Fair, offering opportunities to connect with college representatives and to learn about available programs. Both days took place in the Beacon Hall Events Center on the HCC campus, located at 900 Lafayette Blvd. in Bridgeport. The event was FREE, open to the public and refreshments were served.
Dr. Paul Broadie, HCC President, said that for students interested in a career in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts or Mathematics, this was a must-see experience. Broadie added that STEAM career candidates are in high demand.
Housatonic Community College currently offers over 60 associate degree or certificate options in the STEAM disciplines. Through active hands-on learning, students build up their qualifications to support movement along educational or career paths to potentially higher-paying jobs.
STEAM Fest 2018 was generously supported by the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust. To learn more about STEAM Fest or STEAM programming at HCC, please contact Rachel Cain, or by phone 203-332-5984. Visit the HCC website by visiting www.housatonic.edu..