Business in STEM program sparks creativity for East CLC middle school students

For six weeks, students in grades 6-8 from East Community Learning Center in the Akron Public Schools District delved into the dynamic intersection of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) with a unique twist – integrating business concepts.

The University of Akron’s (UA) Business in STEM (B-STEM) program, held from Jan. 24 to Feb. 28, engaged these students in a series of workshops and events aimed at building their curiosity, creativity and critical thinking skills. Culminating in a banquet on Mar. 13, the program featured the collaborative efforts of educators, industry professionals and UA faculty and students.

This year, 18 students participated in the B-STEM program with a mix of returning and new faces. Over the course of the program, they were immersed in a variety of hands-on activities and workshops, each led by UA faculty and students from different academic fields:

• Bone-Breaking Lab: Dr. Audrey Nguyen-Rudy and Mr. Stephen Paterson from the Department of Biomedical Engineering guided students through a fascinating exploration of biomechanics.
• Programming a Robotic Snake: Dr. Henry Astley from the Department of Biology introduced students to the fundamentals of programming by working on a robotic snake project.
• Paper Rocket Designing: Members of UA’s Akronauts Rocket Design Team inspired creativity through the design and launch of paper rockets.
• Building a Circuit: The NASA Mining Robotics Design Team from UA facilitated an engaging session on circuit building, providing insights into robotics and electronics.
• Car Designing: Students had the opportunity to collaborate with UA’s Zips Racing Combustion and Electric Team, discovering the intricacies of automotive engineering and design.
• B-STEM Design Group Project: The pinnacle of the program was a collaborative design project where students developed an app, integrating business principles such as market research, cost analysis and presentations.

The success of the B-STEM program would not have been possible without the support and collaboration of various partners. The East Community Learning Center in Akron Public Schools District, along with Mr. William Casterlow, Middle School Academy Coach, played a pivotal role in facilitating student participation. Additionally, UA’s College of Engineering and Polymer Science and Office of Development provided essential resources and expertise.

“It was my pleasure to manage the B-STEM program,” shared Ms. Jordan Brlan, associate director of recruitment and retention at the College of Engineering and Polymer Science. “This program was designed to get hands-on activities in front of students interested in STEM while combining it with business concepts. Our hope and goal are to get them excited and interested in what could become a future passion or career. My sincere appreciation to Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Lee for their donation to make this program possible. And thanks to East CLC and UA’s faculty and students for working together for a common goal of inspiring students.”

Mr. Raymond Lee with B-STEM program middle school students.

The B-STEM program is offered through a generous donation from Mr. and Mrs. Raymond and Sylvia Lee. Raymond Lee is a 1975 graduate of East High School and graduated from UA in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. He is a member of The University of Akron Foundation board of directors and serves on its Investment Committee and Executive Committee. He is a former member of the College of Business Advancement Council. He earned the Dr. Frank L. Simonetti Distinguished Business Alumni Award in 2010 and the Beta Alpha Psi Outstanding Alumnus Award in 2003. Raymond’s wife, Sylvia Lee, is a graduate of UA, having earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1980 and a Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design in 2009. They have three children.

RELATED CONTENT:

• Learn more about the College of Engineering and Polymer Science's K-12 programs.
• Youngsters get down to business during B-STEM program at East Community Learning Center
• Discover what the College of Business has to offer.

Story by CEPS Marketing.

Media contact: Cristine Boyd, 330-972-6476 or cboyd@uakron.edu.