On Saturday, June 1, 2024, the Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics (STEM) Community Day was held at Christopher Newport University in partnership with Newport News Public Schools in Virginia. The event drew a large crowd of community members who had the opportunity to explore various aspects of STEM fields and careers through interactive exhibits from nearly 100 different organizations.
One highlight of the event was the participation of educators from the National Institute of Aerospace’s Center for Integrated STEM Education (NIA-CISE). They captivated attendees of all ages with a 13-foot tree activity where participants learned how to use a clinometer to measure tree height. Volunteers, known as “citizen scientists,” demonstrated how NASA collects this data to calculate the amount of carbon that trees and forests absorb or release into the atmosphere. Families were also able to take home a kit to create their own clinometers, allowing them to continue learning and experimenting at home.
Another engaging activity presented by the NIA-CISE team focused on Earth’s energy balance. Participants selected cards representing activities that either reflected energy back to space or were absorbed by Earth, and then had to decide whether these activities contributed to the “in” or “out” side of Earth’s energy balance. This hands-on activity helped attendees understand the complex concept of Earth’s energy system in a fun and interactive way.