Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, WSU President Ramon S. Torrecilha address students
Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito speaks to the students of Abner Gibbs and Franklin Avenue Elementary Schools at Westfield State University Oct. 22 during STEM week, (Photo by Peter Currier)
WESTFIELD- Westfield State University invited students from Abner Gibbs Elementary School and Franklin Avenue Elementary School to engage with WSU STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) students as part of STEM week Tuesday morning on the WSU campus.
The day began at 10 a.m. with remarks from WSU College of Mathematics and Sciences Dean Jennifer Hanselman, Ph.D, WSU President Dr. Ramon S. Torrecilha, and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, who also visited Westfield Intermediate School that morning. The students gathered in the Scanlon Banquet Hall to hear a message about getting more diversity and increasing interest in STEM fields at young ages.
“As we gather this morning, we are not only celebrating the event today, but we are committing ourselves to continued collaborative efforts to engage students and make sure that all students have access to information and opportunity,” said Hanselman, “The Pioneer Valley STEM Network is dedicated to the ongoing collaboration between K-12, higher education, industry, and community partners.”
Torrecilha then spoke directly to the students about when he was their age and his dislike, and fear, of mathematics. He said it was not until he attended college that he understood the value of math.
“The numbers allow us to tell stories. Stories about why some people get ahead and other people don’t. Stories about what is happening to our climate. Stories about our cities and why our cities are growing,” said Torrecilha, “So I am hoping that your time here today allows you to learn ways in which STEM can help you tell stories. Stories about you, and stories about the world.”
Polito spoke to the students about the lack of women in STEM fields, citing that just 26 percent of STEM related jobs are held by women. She also emphasized the rapidly increasing importance of coding or computer programming.
“Coding is essential, we need to have computer science. It’s part of what you do. You know how to read a book, you know how to ride a bike, you just need to code. Coding is just a thing you’re going to have to know,” said Polito.
Following Polito’s remarks, the students walked across the campus to the Wilson and Nettie M. Steven’s science building to take part in STEM activities.
Those activities included “The Spaghetti Challenge” which was run by student representatives of the WSU College of Mathematics and Science. The kids were given the engineering challenge of creating a stable structure out of uncooked spaghetti and marshmallows.
Another one of the STEM activities allowed the students learned a bit about nature and biology with “Who’s in Our Woods: Learning About Local Wildlife.” with Dr. John McDonald.
