Idaho State University hosts TRiO workshops for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math

Idaho State University's TRiO programs will host a day of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) workshops at ISU on Friday, Nov. 12.

About 60 junior and senior high students participating in the TRiO program from the Magic Valley, throughout southeast Idaho and the Idaho Falls area will visit campus to participate in the workshops.

The STEM workshop will allow TRiO students to explore educational and career options in the science and math fields. It is also an opportunity for potential students to experience the campus of Idaho State University.

"The purpose of the workshops is to promote careers in science, technology and math to low-income, first-generation students," said Mike Echanis, director of TRiO Services. "These students are under represented in these fields, and there are shortages in these areas."

Attendees will have the option of attending demonstrations around campus on the following topics:

• Engineering and math;

• Physiology;                 

• Stream ecology/biology; and

• Robotics.

Participants will be introduced to the day’s activities at 9:15 a.m. in the Pond Student Union Bengal Theater. A panel discussion with former TRiO students and STEM professionals will be held at 9:45 a.m. Students will go to the presentations around campus from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., then return to the Pond Student Union for lunch.

The TRiO programs include Upward Bound, Educational Talent Search and Student Support Services. Upward Bound and Educational Talent Search are precollege outreach programs serving junior high, middle school and high school students by helping them stay on track to graduate, and then to successfully apply and be admitted to postsecondary schools. Student Support Services works with postsecondary students to help them earn a degree and enroll in graduate programs.

For more information, contact Mike Echanis at 282-3587 or echamike@isu.edu.

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