The 2024 AIChE Annual Meeting and Annual Student Conference are always buzzing with activity, and this year’s event is no exception. As part of our commitment to building a more inclusive and diverse future for the chemical engineering community, AIChE is excited to offer a wide range of K-12 STEM programming. These engaging, hands-on opportunities are designed to spark curiosity in young learners, ignite their passion for science, and inspire them to consider chemical engineering as a rewarding career path.
What’s on the agenda?
This year’s K-12 STEM Showcase and Outreach Competition (October 27) are set to be bigger and better than ever. The Showcase is a true highlight in this year’s programming. Here, K-12 students from the local area will have the chance to present their STEM projects to a broader audience. The showcase will include a wide range of creative and innovative experiments, models, and designs inspired by chemical engineering principles. It’s an excellent platform for students to demonstrate their growing knowledge, share their ideas, and gain feedback from professionals in the field. This showcase will not only celebrate their hard work but also give them a taste of what it’s like to be part of a scientific community.
At the competition, local San Diego students will team up with engineering professionals and university students to engage in STEM challenges, all designed to highlight the creativity and problem-solving aspects of chemical engineering. The competition will culminate in a showcase of modules, where teams present their solutions to a panel of judges. It’s a fantastic opportunity for students to experience teamwork and real-world problem-solving while having fun.
The event schedule offers several opportunities for young students to get involved in STEM through fun and educational activities:
Check-In (9:00 AM–10:00 AM): Students, parents, and educators will arrive and register for the day’s events.
Keynote Address (10:00 AM–11:10 AM): Kick off the event with an inspiring keynote by Kate the Chemist and other real-life STEM professionals who will share their journeys and experiences in chemical engineering.
STEM Demos (11:10 AM–12:30 PM): Participate in interactive, AIChE member-led STEM demonstrations that cover a variety of chemical engineering topics. Students will receive handouts for continued learning at home, while chaperones will get materials to replicate the demos in classrooms or at home.
Lunch & Learn (12:30 PM–1:15 PM): Enjoy lunch with chemical engineering professionals and college students while learning more about careers in chemical engineering.
K-12 Competition Awards Ceremony (1:15 PM–1:30 PM): Celebrate the innovative projects from K-12 students as awards are presented for outstanding work in the STEM Outreach Competition.
Chem-E-Car Competition (1:30 PM–2:45 PM): End the day by cheering on university students as they compete in the 25th Annual Chem-E-Car Competition, where teams showcase their skills in designing and running model cars powered by chemical reactions.
Bee a part of the change
Through the Bee a ChemE campaign and the K-12 programming at the 2024 Annual Meeting, AIChE aims to demystify the field of chemical engineering and make it more accessible to all. By exposing students to the limitless possibilities within STEM and offering them guidance from professionals in the field, we hope to inspire the next generation of chemical engineers — engineers who will lead the charge in addressing the global challenges of tomorrow.
Join us in San Diego!
We invite families, students, and educators to join us for this free, exciting day of exploration, learning, and fun at the 2024 K-12 STEM Showcase in San Diego, on Sunday, October 27. This event is a perfect opportunity for students to engage with science and engineering in a hands-on way while interacting with professionals and university students. This is a free event, but you must register.
Register now for the 2024 K-12 STEM Showcase.
Don’t forget to follow along on AIChE’s social media for updates on the exciting K-12 programming and other events at this year’s Annual Meeting!