As a STEM EE scholar, I have been given the opportunity to go to local inner city elementary schools to help teach science lessons to the students. The Wonders of Our World (WOW) program reaches out to students who might not have the resources necessary for certain science experiments and lessons. Our goal is to spark an interest in the students that will inspire them to want to pursue STEM careers later in life. Many STEM students at OSU would agree that one of the reasons they enjoy science and math so much is that they were exposed to it at a young age and were then motivated to become scientists and engineers later on in life. WOW is encouraging the next generation to learn more about science and math in the hopes that they will fill the large number of jobs that are are opening up in STEM fields.
Being a part of the WOW program is so rewarding in that it allows me to make a difference in young students’ lives. It makes me so happy to see how excited they get with each experiment and when they learn something new. What I am able to do with this program will effect the way these students think about STEM and their futures. I get the privilege of inspiring young minds and guiding them towards STEM fields. From this experience, I have learned that I love working with kids and teaching them about topics that I enjoy so much. Every week I am surprised by how intelligent the students are and how willing they are to learn new things. It is so fulfilling to know that what I am doing could change someone’s life and the way they think about the possibility of college and a successful future. Outreach like this is a great way for me to share my love of science and inspire the younger generations to explore STEM fields and careers.
