USU Blanding Hosts Successful S.T.E.A.M. Expo

BLANDING, Utah — Utah State University Blanding hosted the 9th annual S.T.E.A.M Expo on April 10-12. More than 500 students from grades 5-12 attended the event designed to expose students to the exciting fields of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. USU staff and faculty from various USU campuses, joined by professionals from private and government entities, led workshops, booths, presentations, tours, and other experiences at the USU Blanding campus.

“S.T.E.A.M. is all about igniting curiosity and fostering innovation,” said Kristian Olsen, senior associate vice president for USU Blanding. “It's not just an event; it's a gateway to boundless possibilities. The remarkable team behind it crafts an impactful discovery experience for students from San Juan County.

“Together with our wonderful partners at the San Juan School District, S.T.E.A.M. champions the exciting world of science, technology, engineering, art, and math. The thing I love most about S.T.E.A.M. is the look of wonder, awe, and learning on the faces of students. It is truly a remarkable event.”

The three-day event was full of excitement, featuring workshops and presentations such as a solar cooking demonstration, making homemade sound speakers, yeast demonstrations, statistical puzzles and games, demonstration of the Navajo sticks game, a magic show, DNA extraction, virtual reality demos, as well as presentations from several USU entities, such as the Aggie Chocolate Factory, Aggie Ice Cream, and much more. Students were bussed in from several schools to participate in the festivities. The majority of student events on the USU Blanding campus were held April 11.

The S.T.E.A.M. Expo was organized by Bayley Hedglin, associate director of Advancement for Moab and Blanding. Eric Rowley, clinical professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, helped organize workshops, a service project, and a cultural exchange for K-12 teachers, USU faculty, and USU students.

“This expo was a resounding success,” said Rowley. “The events were bigger and better than ever before.”

In addition to activities that inspired students to further interest in science, math and the arts, the teachers and USU faculty and students were able to participate in several special events. The first was a storytelling event in the USU Blanding Hogan, where Jessica Benally, Tonie Dee and Reagan Wystalucy shared inspiring stories about their backgrounds and commitment to education. This event was held on the same day as the expo.

On April 12, participants were also able to take part in a service project in conjunction with the investiture of USU President Betsy Cantwell. Led by Donna Blake, the group helped pick up trash and broken glass along the Westwater Canyon trail system. On the same day, participants also went on a guided tour of the Monument Valley National Tribal Park, learning from Navajo Elders and others. The tour was led by USU Monument Valley site supervisor Don Mose III and his brothers. Together, the brothers performed music and dances featuring flutes, drums and guitar in a natural alcove amphitheater. Their father, Don Mose Jr., shared cultural insights at stops along the way.

Public school teachers were treated to teacher workshops that were held on April 10 and 11 in the evening. These teacher workshops were led by Jessica Benally (doctoral student at UC Berkley) and USU professors Jessi Lajos and Sindura Kularajan. Many of the secondary teachers also helped USU faculty and students put on demonstrations throughout the expo on April 11 during the day.

The S.T.E.A.M. Expo was sponsored by various entities across the southeast region, including San Juan School District, Grand School District, USU Blanding campus, the S.T.E.A.M. Expo Planning Committee, USU College of Science, USU Mathematics/Statistics Department, USU TEAL Department, USU Biology Department, Jessi Lajos, and Brynja Kohler (Mathematics/Statistics professor and associate dean of the College of Science). Contributors helped with travel, stipends, meals, honoraria for presenters, a guided tour of Monument Valley, and supplies for the expo presentations. USU thanks all who contributed.

Offering residential campus housing and dining, Utah State University Blanding gives students the personalized attention and small class sizes of a small-town college with the resources of a large university, all while providing award-winning education. With degree options ranging from associate to doctorate degrees, plus technical education offerings in Business, Technical Trades and Health Professions, USU Blanding offers programs that help fuel local economies and empower individuals and their communities. Learn more at blanding.usu.edu.