BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – CSU Bakersfield and the CSU Bakersfield Athletics Department will hold a press conference to unveil the new Chevron STEM Zone on Monday, August 27, at 6:30 p.m. at the south end of the Main Soccer Field. The event will be held 30 minutes prior to the men's soccer team's kickoff against the University of the Pacific.
CSUB President Dr. Lynnette Zelezny will speak at the press conference. Other speakers are:
* Chevron's Community Engagement Advisor Adam Alvidrez;
* CSUB Dean of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Engineering Kathleen Madden;
* CSUB Athletics Director Kenneth "Ziggy" Siegfried.
The STEM Zone is an interactive mobile space for students, teachers and parents to learn how science, technology, engineering and math concepts are connected to sports and everyday life.
The STEM Zone is built to be a hands-on environment similar to a discover museum. It features learning stations, or exhibits, which bring various STEM lessons to life. These exhibits utilize sports themes familiar to students to bring excitement and engagement to science, technology, engineering and math by showing their real-world applications and creating awareness of STEM in everyday life.
"We want kids excited about STEM education, in and outside of the classroom," said Alvidrez. "The Chevron STEM Zone brings hands-on learning and practical applications of STEM to everyday life, including competitive sports."
Some of the exhibits include exploring the effect of gravity on a variety different objects, visual feedback when shooting a basketball, a giant Newton's Cradle, examining the anatomy of a baseball, testing the sweet spot on a baseball or softball bat, the biomechanics related to vertical leap and the effects of air pressure on a soccer ball.
"This is another example of how we can use athletics as an avenue for education," said Siegfried. "The partnership with Chevron continues to unite athletics, academics, and the community. We look forward to continuing to share the Chevron STEM Zone at future campus events and in our community."
The STEM Zone was made possible through a generous donation by Chevron. Rulers and baseball hats will also be given out to participating students.
