It's a 38 foot mobile science laboratory – and creative space – complete with the latest technologies.
Thanks to a $4 million grant from the Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation, Delta College developed this program to reach out to middle and high school students in the Great Lakes Bay Region to provide information about the vast opportunities available in science, technology, engineering and math. Through this program, students become engaged and enthusiastic about STEM topics.
It's working! 70% of students said they were more interested in STEM topics after their visit to the STEM Explorer.
What makes the Explorer cool?
- Gets students out of the classroom and into a state-of-the-art lab
- Strengthens partnerships with teachers to augment their lesson plans
- Brings multiple topics together in project-based activities
- Provides hands-on activities in an exceptional learning environment
If you are a middle school teacher and are interested in booking the STEM Explorer (free of charge) for a visit to your school, contact us today!
Projects
High School Modules
Highlighting the connection between the arts and STEM, classes will decide on 3D art project to complete, whether it is individual sculptures or a cohesive class mural. Using Computer-Aided Design (CAD), students will construct models to be created using the 3D printing as their medium.
- Related Delta Programs
Art + Design, Computer Aided Design, Mechanical Engineering Technology - Related STEM Careers
Mechanical Engineer, Graphic Designer, Mechanical Drafter
Students will go through the steps of learning how to build and program an autonomous robot with sensors. Collaborating in teams they will work through the engineering design process to test and refine their robots to complete competition tasks.
- Related Delta Programs
Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Programming - Related STEM Careers
Robotics Engineer, Mechanical Engineering Technician, Robotics Technician, Computer Programmer
Students will engineer fitness training equipment that will track health data. Using data analysis and statistics, they will develop mathematical models to explain physical science concepts related to their training trackers.
- Related Delta Programs
Data Science, Exercise Science, Physics, Engineering (Pre) - Related STEM Careers
Survey Researcher, Exercise Physiologists, Physicist, Biomedical Engineers
Students will follow instructions to build and test a CNC machine. Based on their test results, they will need to engineer a plan to optimize their machine to run more accurately and efficiently. Students will then learn how to code a real CNC machine and create a product.
- Related Delta Programs
Computer Numerical Controls (CNC), Manufacturing and Industrial Technology, Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Programming, Engineering (Pre) - Related STEM Careers
Machinists, Industrial Engineering Technicians, Mechanical Engineering Technicians, Mechatronic Engineers
The STEM Explorer has visited over 300 schools.
Over 38,300 students have interacted with the bus.
Delta currently has 120 teacher partnerships.