The College of Arts and Sciences in collaboration with the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, and the Public Schools of Robeson County hosted a STEMville Science Symposium for middle school students on March 23, 2018.  A total of one hundred seventh graders enjoyed the program, which included a keynote speaker and concurrent sessions about STEM topics.  Twenty-one presentations ranging from the role of enzymes to how the brain works were delivered throughout the morning.

The sessions were led by scientists participating in the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center’s Inspiring Meaningful Programs and Communication through Science (IMPACTS) program. The program trains scientists and STEM professionals in high-quality communication skills to help them share their enthusiasm and expertise about science with the general public.  Presenters came from schools around the region including Wake Forest University, Duke University, Elon University, NC A&T State University, UNC Chapel-Hill, and UNCP.

The keynote address was presented by Dr. Erika Young, a lecturer in the UNCP Department of Biology.  She was the first Native American to graduate from UNC Chapel-Hill with a Ph.D. in Marine Studies.  Dr. Young’s presentation “Science Myths Debunked” addressed common misconceptions about science and underscored that scientists take many shapes and forms.