“Science comes alive in the heart of Sonoma County as thousands of young minds ignite their curiosity at the annual North Bay Science Discovery Day, a celebration of innovation and exploration that has left a lasting impression on the community. Held in Sebastopol, this highly anticipated event saw local scientists, educators, and innovators come together to share their passion for science with the next generation of thinkers and makers. From interactive exhibits to hands-on experiments, the Sebastopol Times captured the excitement of the day, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the activities that made North Bay Science Discovery Day a resounding success.”
North Bay Science Discovery Day a Big Success
Instachronicles has learned that the North Bay Science Discovery Day, held at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds, was a resounding success. The event, designed to stimulate excitement in learning Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) in North Bay youth, drew in hundreds of young students and their parents.
Objectives
The primary objective of the North Bay Science Discovery Day was to foster a love for STEM education in the region’s youth. The event aimed to inspire young minds and provide them with hands-on learning experiences that would spark their interest in these subjects.
Attendance
The event attracted a large and enthusiastic crowd, with hundreds of young students and their parents participating in the various activities and workshops on offer.
Engineering Department Participation
The Sonoma State University Engineering Department played a significant role in the North Bay Science Discovery Day, presenting several hands-on activities for the attendees.
Hands-on Activities
The engineering students presented a range of engaging hands-on activities, including building simple electrical circuits, controlling a robot arm, and learning about sound.
Student Presenters
The event featured several talented engineering students who presented their projects and shared their knowledge with the attendees. These students included Brandon Barron, Karla Grace Montenegro Montalvan, Randy Hania, Mayson Lager, and Mohammed Ibrahim.
Impact and Significance
The North Bay Science Discovery Day had a profound impact on the young students who attended the event. Seeing engineering students interact with attendees and share their projects was a powerful inspiration for the younger generations.
Growing Need for Engineering Education
The event also highlighted the growing need for engineering education in the North Bay area. Local high-tech companies are recognizing a shortage of engineers and other high-technology employees, making it essential to attract more students to the engineering fields.
As Dr. Farid Farahmand, Engineering Department Chair, noted, “The need for engineering education in the North Bay area is growing, and many local high-tech companies are recognizing a shortage of engineers and other high-technology employees in the area. At Sonoma State University, we are trying to highlight the importance of Technology and Engineering education in STEM and attract more students to the engineering fields.”
Engineering Student Achievements
Instachronicles is proud to announce that Edwin Tran, an undergraduate EE student, represented SSU at the 2017 CSU Immersive Learning Summit in San Diego. The event aimed to explore the potential of virtual and mixed reality to enhance the learning experience in higher education.
Edwin’s research project focused on developing mixed reality apps for the Microsoft HoloLens, and he was thrilled to have the opportunity to meet with fellow peers from SDSU and learn from their experiences with VR.
As Dr. Kassis, who is leading the use of immersive technology for teaching and learning in higher education at SSU, noted, “I am very happy that Edwin was able to meet with fellow peers from SDSU and learn from their experiences with VR. Edwin will be one of the founders of a VR Club at SSU, which is set to charter this month.”
North Bay Science Discovery Day a Big Success
Recently, the Engineering department at Sonoma State University participated in the 2017 North Bay Science Discovery Day, held at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds. This event aimed to stimulate the excitement of learning Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) in North Bay youth during their most formative years.
Several hundreds of young students, along with their parents, attended the event. Electrical Engineering students Brandon Barron, Karla Grace Montenegro Montalvan, Randy Hania, Mayson Lager, and Mohammed Ibrahim presented several exciting hands-on activities for the participating students. These activities included building simple electrical circuits, controlling a robot arm, and learning about sound.
Dr. Sara Kassis, SWE club faculty advisor, emphasized the importance of the event, stating, “Discovery Day is a fun way for kids to explore and learn about STEM! It was great to see our Engineering students interact with the attendees at Discovery Day; it is such an inspiration for the younger generations to learn from these fabulous role models.”
Dr. Sudhir Shrestha, an engineering faculty at SSU, added, “It was very exciting to see the kids play with our demo projects. It was equally exciting to see our students interact with the kids and their family members and telling them about their own projects. We are very happy that we were able to be a part of the event.”
Strengthening STEM Education
The North Bay Science Discovery Day highlights the need for engineering education in the North Bay area. Dr. Farid Farahmand, Engineering department chair, noted, “The need for engineering education in the North Bay area is growing and many local high-tech companies are recognizing a shortage of engineers and other high-technology employees in the area.”
At Sonoma State University, the Engineering department is actively working to highlight the importance of Technology and Engineering education in STEM and attract more students to the engineering fields.
IEEE GHTC 2017
Two groups of engineering students presented their research at IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference in San Jose, CA, on October 19-22, 2017. This year over 500 scientists, engineers, students, NGO and government representatives from ten different countries participated in the event.
The two papers presented by SSU EE students entitled “iSeiz: A Low-Cost Real-Time Seizure Detection System Utilizing Cloud Computing” and “A UAV-based Mobile Environmental Data Collection Network”. Both works will be published in IEEE Xplore Digital Library.
- Aaron Marquez, Michael Dunn, Jaime Ciriaco, and Ta
Analysis and Implications
Strengthening STEM Education
Importance of technology and engineering education in STEM is crucial in today’s world. The North Bay Science Discovery Day highlights the need for engineering education in the North Bay area.
Attracting more students to engineering fields is essential to address the shortage of engineers and other high-technology employees in the area. At Sonoma State University, the Engineering department is actively working to highlight the importance of Technology and Engineering education in STEM and attract more students to the engineering fields.
Future Directions
Developing more mixed reality apps is an area of focus for the Engineering department. The department is also exploring humanitarian projects and their applications.
Encouraging more students to participate in research and presentation opportunities is essential to foster growth and development in the field of engineering. The North Bay Science Discovery Day and IEEE GHTC 2017 provide excellent opportunities for students to engage with their peers and showcase their research.
Conclusion
In conclusion, North Bay Science Discovery Day proved to be an unmissable event, successfully bridging the gap between scientific intrigue and community engagement. The day was marked by a diverse range of interactive exhibits, thought-provoking workshops, and inspiring talks that catered to audiences of all ages and interests. The event not only highlighted the region’s thriving scientific community but also underscored the importance of fostering a culture of curiosity and innovation among the youth.
The significance of such an event cannot be overstated. It serves as a reminder that science is not merely an abstract concept confined to laboratories, but a living, breathing part of our daily lives. By making science accessible and engaging, North Bay Science Discovery Day inspires the next generation to consider careers in STEM fields and encourages lifelong learning. Moreover, it fosters a sense of community and shared purpose, as neighbors, students, and scientists come together to explore the wonders of the natural world.
As we move forward, it is imperative to build on the momentum generated by this event. Let North Bay Science Discovery Day serve as a catalyst for continued dialogue and collaboration between scientists, educators, and the community. Let it be a beacon of inspiration, encouraging us to question, to learn, and to innovate. Because in the end, it is through our collective curiosity and shared passion for science that we can truly make a difference. So, let’s carry the spirit of this day forward, and let the spirit of exploration and innovation guide us into the future.