METAIRIE, LA – Core Element, the New Orleans Pelicans, the New Orleans Saints and more than 40 community STEM partners will host the Core Element Community STEM Fest on Saturday, Sept. 30, at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center, 5800 Airline Dr., in Metairie, from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
The event will feature hands-on STEM exploration stations, activities and experiments, interactive demonstrations, performances, Pelicans and Saints activities and more.
More than 2,000 students and teachers from schools throughout the region and families are expected to participate in the STEM-focused education day. Tickets are $12 per person and include admission to the Community STEM Fest event and a Pelicans game during the 2017-18 season.
“With less than 30 percent of Louisiana’s students currently graduating with proficiency in math and science topics, it is critical that we nurture, encourage and prepare our students to pursue STEM subjects, and compete for STEM jobs in Louisiana and beyond,” said Jan Brenan, executive director of Core Element. “Community STEM Fest will showcase many facets of STEM and introduce students, families, and teachers to a wide variety of STEM subjects, and career possibilities.”
STEM-focused organizations, businesses and community partners will host exploration stations featuring STEM activities and experiments covering topics including: animation, biodiversity, biology, chemistry, circuit building, coding, conservation, density, DNA, electricity, engineering, fish biology, forensics, medical science, natural science, physical science, physics, physiology, psychology, robotics and more.
“The Pelicans and Saints are excited to team up with Core Element to create this exciting STEM experience for students, teachers, and families,” said Chris Guidry, group sales manager for the New Orleans Pelicans and New Orleans Saints. “Community STEM Fest is designed to energize and excite students about STEM subjects and encourage them to further explore their interest in STEM.”
A portion of the proceeds from Community STEM Fest event will benefit Core Element, a local nonprofit that promotes quality teaching in STEM through teacher professional development. In addition, school groups who attend Community STEM Fest will be eligible to win start-up dollars to initiate STEM programs in their school.
Free parking will be available at the New Orleans Baby Cakes Shrine on Airline with shuttle service to the Ochsner Sports Performance Center.
