CAMPUS LIFE

“Dinosaurs!” unearths STEM Scholars program

Professor David Wooten shows off Triceratops skull to students of the German School of Ann Arbor. Courtney Prielipp | Washtenaw Voice

Lily Cole

Deputy Editor

“Dinosaurs!”, hosted for “Super STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) Saturdays,” brought many families together to uncover the truth behind these prehistoric reptiles.

Professor David Wooten, the event’s guest speaker, said, “dinosaurs are an evolutionary success story–that word success is very important.”

Wooten showcased 3D skull models of six dinosaurs, accompanied by a presentation about dinosaur characteristics and extinction. Participants used context clues to determine what kind of dinosaur they were looking at.

However, underneath “Super STEAM Saturdays” and the events they host is the success story of the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Scholar program.

Susan Dentel, the coordinator of STEM Scholars, provides community outreach for “Super STEAM Saturdays.”

“These events are free and open to everyone–they’re a way to build [community] interest in science and STEAM,” she said.

According to Dentel, the STEM Scholar program aims to “make STEAM a real thing” by awarding applicants close to $2,000 worth of scholarships, adding that the program is one of “support and nourishment.”

Dentel said STEM tutors help teach subjects such as math, physics, computer science, chemistry and biology to support students pursuing STEAM-based degrees or careers.

Shayna Johnson, a STEM scholar recipient, has been a scholar for almost a year.

“It’s perfect to nurture [students] interest–to get a spark for something to pursue them to carry on and do something more,” she said.

“Outreach wasn’t available in the beginning, but now that it’s been a few months, they’re [Super STEAM Saturdays] getting more applicants,” Johnson said. “It’s also probably the dinosaurs.”

Wooten, a reptile lover, fully supports “Super STEAM Saturdays” and the STEM Scholars program.

“How often does the general public get to come in and do college-level paleontology, getting involved with experts and college resources?” he said.

“We’re Washtenaw Community College,” Wooten said. “Although we’re a college, another big part of our name is community, so we have to give back to the community.”