Students filled with curiosity and wonder for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) are invited to Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology for a day of free, fun-filled STEM activities and challenges. The Noblitt STEM Jubilee and the SPARK! Competition provide opportunities for students of all ages to explore their interests in STEM.

The Noblitt STEM Jubilee will be held April 26 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time) on the Rose-Hulman bonfire field. The Noblitt STEM Jubilee, hosted by the Noblitt Scholars Program, is a first-of-its-kind event, offering 20 different STEM activities for students in grades K-8. Activities include building a "Star Wars" light saber to learn about circuits and creating concoctions with chemistry. All activities will be led by current Noblitt Scholars and Rose-Hulman students. 

"We hope to inspire the next generation of STEM leaders and promote a positive culture around the field," said Taylor Donen, Noblitt Scholar and STEM Jubilee Student Coordinator.

"We wanted to do the STEM Jubilee because we wanted kids to be excited about STEM just like us, which means making STEM fun and introducing them to STEM at an early age," added Makayla Johnson, Noblitt Scholar and STEM Jubilee Student Coordinator.

The Noblitt Scholars Program supports highly motivated students of all majors as they turn their passion and knowledge into action at Rose-Hulman. The Noblitt Scholars Program is led by Faculty Director of the Noblitt Scholars Program and Associate Professor of Biology and Biomedical Engineering Christine Buckley, PhD, and Michelle Lemon, Program Coordinator for the Noblitt Scholars Program.

For more information and to register for the Noblitt STEM Jubilee, visit www.rose-hulman.edu/stemjubilee.

Also on April 26, the SPARK! Competition invites high school students to explore engineering and computer science, regardless of their current background or future plans. Students will have the opportunity to work in small teams to design, program, and race robots for prizes. The event takes place from noon to 4 p.m. (EST) in the college's Sports and Recreation Center. 

"We aim to spark enthusiasm about science, technology, art, engineering, and mathematics (STEAM) among America's youth," said Marlon Mendez-Yanez, student organizer and Rose-BUD Program Manager. "With SPARK!, we can provide students of Indiana high schools and middle schools with an opportunity to explore their creativity in the STEAM fields.”  

Students from all backgrounds are encouraged to register by April 10 at www.rose-hulman.edu/spark to ensure availability of a free lunch and event t-shirt. Same-day event registrations are welcome, but students may not receive lunch and an event t-shirt. 

The SPARK! Competition has been organized since 2015 by members of the Rose-BUD program. Carlotta Berry, PhD, Rose-Hulman’s Lawrence J. Giacoletto Endowed Chair of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering Associate Professor Deborah Walter, PhD, and Computer Science and Software Engineering Department Head Sriram Mohan, PhD, are faculty mentors for the Rose-BUD program, which provides scholarships for high school seniors with approved applications for Rose-Hulman enrollment. Find out more information about these opportunities at www.rose-hulman.edu/rosebud.

The Noblitt STEM Jubilee and the SPARK! Competition encourage students of all ages to pursue their passions for learning and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics on April 26.