The 3rd annual STARward STEM Expo was held on Tuesday at Douglas Byrd High School in Fayetteville, where over 200 students from kindergarten through 12th grade showcased their science projects. The winning teams will have their designs sent to the International Space Station as a “science payload.” Maura Richard, an excited student, expressed her eagerness to create her own designs and potentially see them sent into space.
Cumberland County STEM Education Director Frank McKay emphasized the significance of promoting education through events like the STEM Expo and highlighted the importance of addressing the needs of communities and the country. The experiments conducted by students can range from simple to complex based on their interests and goals. One team, called the Fly Guys, is investigating whether plant seeds can grow in outer space using a mystic tube separated into three sections.
In previous years, students have explored various topics such as the effects of perchlorates, a chemical compound found in Martian soil, on aerospace aluminum alloy. Denise Renfro, a teacher in Cumberland County, shared how her students discovered the presence of perchlorates in Martian soil after investigating corrosion on the Mars rover’s wheels. These students were among the first to have their experiments sent to the ISS as part of the program. The winners of this year’s STEM Expo will be announced on Tuesday evening.
