New Mexico State University Engineering New Mexico Resource Network, in cooperation with U.S. Senator Tom Udall, will host the inaugural STEM Day Oct. 15 at the Mesilla Valley Mall from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Nearly 30 middle- and high-school teams from throughout New Mexico will gather at the Mesilla Valley Mall for a trial run of robots they designed and built for the NM BEST Robotics competition. The official competition is set for Oct. 22. At STEM Day, they can test their robots on the playing field with actual competition perimeters. NMSU engineering students will be on hand to help with any troubleshooting the students need to do with their robots.
The students received materials in September with six weeks to build robots for the 15th annual NM BEST Robotics competition.
STEM Day will also provide students and their parents an opportunity to learn about the various STEM programs supported by the Engineering New Mexico Resource Network, including the Pre-Freshman Engineering Academy, VEX Robotics and Project Lead the Way. Such programs have encouraged thousands of New Mexico students to pursue higher education in science, technology, engineering and math through the NM BEST Robotics Competition and other STEM programs.
“Robotics competitions and STEM Day activities like this are great ways to introduce kids to science and technology because they help open their minds and imagination to career opportunities the STEM fields have to offer,” Udall said. “The next generation of scientists and engineers will be key to the future economic growth and competitiveness of our state and nation. I’m pleased to support efforts to strengthen STEM education and very glad my office was able to participate in the STEM Day event with NMSU’s Engineering New Mexico Resource."
Information from NMSU