Seventh-grade students at Hempstead Middle School stepped into the world of exploration and discovery, thanks to a STEM Day hosted by cadets from the United States Military Academy at West Point and Prairie View A&M University.
This experience was made possible through the Center for Leader Development in STEM (CLDSTEM) at the United States Military Academy at West Point, in partnership with Prairie View A&M University, through a mini-grant from the Army Education Outreach program.
Together, these institutions brought students a full day of hands-on STEM activities designed to spark curiosity, strengthen critical thinking, and inspire future leaders in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
The workshop was tailored specifically for middle school students and led by Director of the Center for Leader Development in STEM, Lori Sheetz, and Prairie View A&M University Associate Professor, Dr. Samuel Ivy. Throughout the day, students participated in interactive challenges that mirror real-world engineering and scientific problems.
Students collaborated with their classmates and cadets, testing ideas and developing design solutions while gaining firsthand experience in how STEM concepts are applied to solve real-world problems. During the Turning Tumbler activity, they practiced computational thinking, and in the SpinTronics challenge, they explored coding principles, using sequencing to achieve specific outcomes. Together, the activities gave students a hands-on understanding of problem-solving, innovation, and the practical applications of STEM in everyday life.
“It was fun to collaborate with other students while learning new things that can help me in the future,” Gahel Alvarez, a seventh-grade student, explained. “The best part was being able to experiment with activities we aren’t used to doing.”
STEM Day emphasizes leadership and collaboration, core qualities that prepare students for success in high school, college, and future careers. By interacting with college students and military academy cadets, our students saw tangible examples of where STEM education can lead them.
“I enjoyed talking to the cadets about my future. I hope to study science in the future and become a medical doctor.”
Alvarez is just one example of how engaging activities like STEM have a positive effect on students.
STEM Day left a lasting impression on students, inspiring them to think critically, ask questions, and see the real impact of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. By combining hands-on learning with mentorship from college students and military academy cadets, the event not only sparked curiosity but also reinforced the value of collaboration, strong problem-solving, and leadership skills.