Sterilex recognizes the importance of attracting and cultivating students in science, engineering, technology, and math (STEM) programs. To succeed in these fields, students must be prepared with the appropriate skills. More importantly, students must be captivated by math and science. The best way to achieve this is by engaging students early in their school years and keeping them engaged throughout their education. Such students will be the innovative scientists of the future for academia and businesses like Sterilex.
As part of addressing this vision, Sterilex was pleased to partner with the Crossroads’ first-ever Science Fair where eighth grade students presented projects that incorporated the skills they learned throughout their 3 years at Crossroads. Completion of a Science Fair project was an eighth grade graduation requirement.
As a prelude to the Science Fair and to help motivate the students, the Sterilex R&D team conducted demonstrations of science experiments for both 8th grade classes about a month before the Science Fair. The R&D team set up 5 different chemistry stations and taught the kids the science behind each of the experiments. It was clear that the students were fascinated by the experiments and each of the R&D mentors related exceptionally well with all the kids.
The Sterilex team met the students once again as judges of the Crossroads Science Fair on May 3. The students were required to create either an engineering design or an experiment to present at the fair. The projects were presented on poster boards containing important information about their design, experiment, or model and each student walked the Sterilex judges through their presentation.
Selecting winners of the Science Fair was difficult. All of the students did an awesome job. However, 2 young female students’ projects rose to the top. One project was an experimental study topic and the other an engineering topic.
The experimental study winner evaluated whether men or women have a better memory. The engineering study winner developed prototype devices to help clean up trash in the Chesapeake Bay. Each had well thought out and organized presentations and both were articulate, confident, and enthusiastic about their projects. Sterilex looks forward to the possibility of seeing these young ladies as future scientists/engineers at its company!