“It was science, but it was AWESOME.” That’s what one elementary student said after leaving the Trailblazer, the STEM-museum-on-wheels that’s a big part of the Texas Alliance for Minorities in Engineering (TAME)’s mission to connect Texas students to careers in STEM.
The truth is, a lot of kids aren’t quite as excited about science as we are…at least, not yet. The hands-on exhibits on the Trailblazer are designed to get kids thinking about science and other STEM fields in a new way, and encourage them to think of themselves as computer whizzes, astronauts, cardiologists, and much more.
Thanks to support from TAME Partners, the whole family can share in this excitement! Schools and other community organizations can work with TAME to bring a Family STEM Event (featuring the TAME Trailblazer) to their community.
What is a Family STEM Event?
It’s a community event, usually held at a local school or library, that gives families a chance to explore STEM activities together. These events are anchored by the Trailblazer, but they also offer food and drinks, and other STEM activities (for instance, a petting zoo, telescopes, robot races, or anything else that your community can offer). Just as important, Family STEM Events offer students and families a chance to find out about STEM classes, endorsements, summer camps and after-school programs, scholarships, career tracks, and pay scales.
TAME works with schools and communities to support and train organizers to host their own Family STEM Event. Support packages can include a visit from the Trailblazer, Science Squad™ comic books, and cash awards to cover pre-approved expenses like food and drinks, presenter fees, supplies for STEM activities, door prizes, and posters and forms in English and Spanish.
Contact our Trailblazer Program Coordinator for more details: trailblazer@tame.org.
Share the excitement of STEM with families in your community!