S.T.E.A.M. Day allows high school students to explore careers and college life

More than 150 students from Fayette Ware and Booker T. Washington High Schools attended Southwest’s second annual S.T.E.A.M. Day (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) Open House Nov. 2. in the Nursing, Natural Sciences and Biotechnology Building on the Union Avenue Campus.

The Recruitment and Admissions office coordinated the event to give prospective students an opportunity to tour classrooms and speak with faculty during morning and afternoon break-out sessions on natural sciences, technologies and engineering, nursing, biotechnology and allied health. Art was added to the S.T.E.A.M. interdisciplinary curriculum this year allowing students to interact with professors who teach theatre, graphic arts and technology, photography and video production.

Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Christopher Ezell welcomed the students and encouraged them to explore the different types of equipment and technology in the building. We have a state-of-the art building where you will see various occupations represented and learn what kind of training, certifications and degrees you will need to pursue a career.

Business and Technologies Dean Dr. Robin Cole introduced the day’s events as a mind-opening journey. S.T.E.A.M. has many interesting fields where you can use your imagination and be creative, he said. We want you to consider STEAM fields, open your minds, think of your skills and what interests you, and explore the options of pursuing a degree at Southwest.

Freshmen to seniors were among the students from both schools in attendance. Fayette Ware sophomore Andericka Taylor already knows what she wants to do for a career. She signed up for the nursing track with her classmate Gaylin Carrizales who wants to be a dental hygienist. I’m taking a nursing class in high school now and I want to be a gynecologist and obstetrician, so I’m interested in knowing everything about nursing school, Taylor said.

Technologies Department Chair Jeffrey Stewart looks forward to meeting prospective students each year. We, as faculty members, are here to present educational options for them to pursue the career of their choice, and we hope to be the pipeline in that choice, he said. S.T.E.A.M. day allows many students the opportunity to handle equipment they have only read about before. For some, it may be their first time to operate automotive machinery or see how an incubator works.

College and Career Readiness Advisor Nekita Johnson from Fayette Ware High School never misses an opportunity for a campus day exploration with her students. We have students in the dual enrollment program and the open house exposes our students to career options and pathways, as well as a real life perspective of college.

Students also had the opportunity to discuss admissions and financial aid with college representatives and learn about Southwest’s student organizations.