NSF grant STEAM Subjects

Common people seem to have a general perception about STEM subjects confusing, intangible matter that in many cases, causes even fear, resentment, (and even) trauma oftentimes associated with earlier sour or bitter experiences with math, chemistry, physics, biology and/or technological applications. This misperception has survived in the collective consciousness spreading over new generations, perpetuating this vicious cycle of ignorance on these subjects. The focus of the proposed NSF IUSE:EHR project is to develop a program to reeducate the community on STEM subjects by creating lectures, laboratories and visits to industry, public service companies and research institutions to sample the real work and meaning of STEM subjects in action. The sections will be recorded and broadcasted using a YouTube channel so people can recreate and share the experience with their family members with the excitement produced by watching themselves in the screen. The initiative also includes the creation of an open participation science festival, where people interested in sciences regardless to their academic background can present their ideas and inventions to the public, and eventually, get picked and funded by any casual venture capitalist; it also includes the creation of games to make the subjects more appealing for the youngsters as a mean to engage them in scientific concepts from early age. The courses will be open to any individual having any interest in learning basic fundamentals and facts about science. Classes will also teach participants to read and understand labels used in processed foods, cosmetics, beverages and other multiple products often describing a multitude of components totally unknown and unintelligible for a common person, this information will allow people to make more informed decisions regarding to food, environment, safety while changing the perception of the real value of applied sciences for the benefit of their own lives; they will also receive information about the active role they play on the conservation of our environment by making the right choices to reduce the carbon print, recycling, clean energy and more activities that will have a lasting impact in present and future generations.