By Matthew Makowski
GVSUExtracting DNA from a banana, exploring magnetism and using green chemistry are just a few of the activities that local middle school students will participate in during an upcoming interactive STEM event at Grand Valley State University.

“Fall in Love with STEM,” presented by the Association of Women in Science (AWIS) – West Michigan, will take place February 23, from 9 a.m.-noon, in the Padnos Hall of Science, located on the Allendale Campus.

 

Students will participate in various workshops and activities focusing on cell and molecular biology, engineering, math, physics and chemistry.

Additional events focusing on geology, math, biology, astronomy and chemistry will take place from 1-4 p.m. in the Calkins Science Center (first floor) at Grand Rapids Community College.

A portion of the event will also take place on February 16, from 9 a.m.-noon, at Hope College.

For more information and a full list of activities, contact Karen Gipson, professor of physics at Grand Valley and current AWIS-WM president, at gipsonk@gvsu.edu, or visit Grand Valley’s Regional Math and Science Center website.

The Association of Women in Science is the largest multi-disciplinary organization that promotes women in STEM fields through advocacy, research and professional development. AWIS reaches more than 20,000 professionals worldwide. The West Michigan chapter of AWIS was established in 2016 by Gipson and a team of students, deans, faculty and staff members from Van Andel Institute and Hope College. GRCC joined the organization in 2017.