Middle and high school students from across Palm Beach County learn about STEM opportunities at PBSC

More than 400 sixth through 12^th graders from across Palm Beach County got the chance to learn about various STEM careers at PBSC’s third annual STEM Expo at PBSC’s Palm Beach Gardens campus on Nov. 15.

This collaborative collegewide event featured science demonstrations and presentations by PBSC faculty, staff and students and other industry and university leaders to showcase the college’s STEM programs.

The theme this year centered on encouraging STEM curiosity. Students enjoyed a mix of interactive workshops, breakout sessions, tours, and program and club showcases. “Empowering students with exposure, awareness and active participation is the cornerstone of their journey toward unlocking a limitless future in the world of technology,” said PBSC’s Interim Dean Dana Hamadeh, who led the event.

Students had the choice of 16 different sessions to explore including “fun with physics,” careers in stem, the pre-med pathway to medical school and tour PBSC’s engineering technology and electrical power tools labs. Attendees were also able to hear from PBSC’s STEM industry partners including representatives from Florida Atlantic University and The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation and Technology.

Kelsey Wolfe, a Ph.D. at UF Scripp’s Research department of molecular medicine, spoke to students about her research into glioblastoma, the most lethal form of brain cancer with average survival rates of less than 12 months. She presented to a packed classroom of young students her research to identify the mechanisms behind cellular diversity in brain tumors and how scientists might be able to develop new ways to target these tumors. 

“Students from local high schools, including the Biotech Academy at Seminole Ridge HS, were energized by her presentation and asked excellent questions on advice for what classes to take and how best to utilize resources and programs such as PBSC’s Biotech AS program, to help them attain their career goals,” said Prof. Alexandra Gorgevska, the department chair of biotechnology at PBSC.

Students also enjoyed touring PBSC’s engineering technology and electrical power tools labs. “The students who attended were very engaged and curious,” said PBSC Associate Dean of Workforce Development. “They were especially happy to know that here at PBSC they can get their hands on equipment and technology during their first semester and gain paid internship with major companies in their second year.”

Former PBSC alumnus and current Worthington High School Assistant Principal Tarry Mays brought 39 students to the event. The non-traditional West Palm Beach-based high school offers an alternate pathway to a high school diploma when a standard approach doesn’t meet their needs.  “For students, just gaining the exposure to all the different opportunities in STEM is what they need most,” Mays said.  “It was incredible to see the light go on for many of these students who are on their second try of high school.”