Area middle school students participate in SFA math and science conference
July 11, 2012
Dr. Darrell Fry, SFA assistant professor of chemistry, looks on as iMAS Academy participants (from left) Ana Aguirre, Ana Carrillo and Athan Jacobs participate in a forensics experiment.
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - About 100 seventh- and eighth-grade students from five area school districts are attending iMAS (Investigations in Math and Science) Academy this week at Stephen F. Austin State University.
SFA STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) faculty members are guiding students in the discovery of academic skills necessary for STEM careers such as forensics, engineering, heath care and environmental science. Students from the Central, Hudson, Lufkin, Nacogdoches and Woden school districts are participating in the academy.
Students are rotating among various investigative modules focusing on STEM careers, including Crime Solvers, ER, Mars Quest, The Orbit of Mercury and Water Test. Team challenges, a chemistry experiment demonstration, a physics magic show and a "This School Rocks" geology presentation sponsored by Chesapeake Energy also have been included in the program.
The iMAS Academy is a collaborative effort between the College of Sciences and Mathematics STEM Research and Learning Center and the James I. Perkins College of Education's East Texas GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) for Success Project.
