Georgia Southern University will showcase hands-on opportunities to help students discover science, technology, engineering and math and share stories of success during the STEM Festival planned for Sept. 12-14 at several locations on campus.

“The purpose of the STEM Festival is to use exploration stations to demonstrate to our greater community that science, technology, engineering and math, despite many misconceptions, can be fun and that subjects that seemed boring in school have some very real applications and are tied to interesting careers,” said Karin Scarpinato, associate dean for faculty and research and biology professor. “This allows us to display our capabilities in the STEM fields and demonstrate how we prepare students to enter careers in these exciting and progressive fields.”

i2Work on Sept. 12 in the Russell Union Ballroom, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., provides students with opportunities to meet with employers about internships, co-ops and employment. i2Research on Sept. 13 in the Williams Center, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., will highlight all the research being performed at Georgia Southern including the Institute of Coastal Plain Science, public heath and athletic training.

The STEM Festival wraps up on Saturday at the Nessmith-Lane Conference Center, 847 Plant Drive, with i2Explore from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. This event is designed for teenagers and children who will learn about robotics, make ice cream with liquid nitrogen, launch rockets with Alka Seltzer and become a “Star Wars” Jedi.

“Many misconceptions exist about what STEM courses have to do with real life and what careers are affiliated with them,” said Scarpinato. “Education in these fields lacks behind, not just in Georgia, but nationwide, too. The STEM Festival provides an opportunity to begin addressing these issues.”

All events are free and open to everyone. For more information on the STEM Festival, visit GeorgiaSouthern.edu/research/stemfest.