Category: Outreach

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Written by Maegan Hinson, CECAS Outreach Coordinator

PEER & WISE hosted our annual STEM Day event this past Saturday, February 20th. Over ninety middle school students from across the country joined us via Zoom for a day of exploring engineering. Primarily from underrepresented backgrounds, these students were able to meet and chat with current PEER mentors. Our mentors shared their stories of how they came to choose engineering as a major and the people who inspired them along the way. Representatives from Boeing and the US Army, our sponsors for STEM Day, were able to join us to share about their company and the career opportunities for engineers there. Because of their sponsorship, we were able to make STEM Day an all-inclusive experience, providing each student with all the materials needed to participate in each of the hands-on activities.

Throughout the event, students participated in 4 hands-on activities led by Clemson students from the College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences (CECAS). The Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering Department’s Outreach Team, led by Varun Gopal and Zachariah Pittman, used a recipe for slime to teach students about chemical engineering. Students were provided 2 materials, color-changing glue and slime activator liquid. They investigated the properties of each substance as they observed changes in the color and feel of the materials. They learned how chemical engineers use different substances to design new materials based on human factors and needs.

The Society of Women in Engineers, led by Laura Stuart, introduced students to the concepts of bioengineering as it relates to medicine. Students participated in a hands-on experiment to test the effectiveness of coatings for pills. They discussed the importance of this as it relates to our overall health. Students were also able to hear from a recent bioengineering alum, Cassidy Barringer, who shared her experience at Clemson and her transition to industry as an Associate Clinical Specialist in Electrophysiology at Abbott.

Helena Upshaw, a Computer Science major, and Annie Woofter, an Electrical Engineering major, lead the session on computer science. They introduced coding as it related to making animals dance on the website hourofcode.org. Students were able to see how to set up steps in this program and how it related to the language of computers. They were also able to hear from Natalie DellaMaria, a recent Computer Science graduate, who now works for Tesla.

The last session was led by Kathryn Cooke, a current Clemson student who is interning with NASA. In this session, students learned about the world of NASA and how engineers work to make it possible to explore outer space. They completed an activity to learn about the placement of planets and how it relates to space exploration.

Although students were not able to attend the event on campus this year, this virtual environment proved to be beneficial in many ways. We were able to bring in alumni who were working in different parts of the country. Students from many different states were able to attend our event and hear about the great opportunities that Clemson’s College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences could offer them. Parents were also able to connect with us, hopefully to begin forming a relationship that will last through the coming years.

Maegan Hinson, College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences
December 11, 2020

PEER mentors are Clemson upperclassmen who are focused on leadership and inspiring younger students as they work towards a degree in engineering or computer science. These mentors know the importance of sharing their experience with the next generation of students, especially those that would not otherwise hear about STEM careers. Throughout the year, the PEER & WISE office sponsors multiple outreach events and activities. This year’s events have looked much different, due to COVID, but that has not stopped our mentors from being involved and getting the word out about engineering.

Six PEER mentors spent two Saturdays this fall leading a group of young men in STEM activities via Zoom. These young men were from a group called Building Beyond the Wall, an initiative started by a former educator who saw the need for mentorship beyond the walls of traditional structures.

Angela Wright says of her program, “Our mission is to develop leaders in the community through mindset, motivation and mentorship using science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM).”

During these Saturday events, the PEER mentors led the students in video activities produced by the EXPLORE Mobile Lab. In the first activity, students built a bridge out of popsicle sticks and tested its stability. The second activity introduced students to nuclear engineering and the basic chemistry behind it. The goal of these activities was to make connections to the students and their interests, showing them the importance of math and science.  The mentors wanted to share their passion for engineering and inspire others like them to set high expectations for themselves.

On his motivation behind participating in outreach events, PEER mentor Kwajo Boateng said, “Outreach is so vital to me because it gives me the opportunity to impact students who look like me. Allowing them to participate in STEM activities that utilize real problem-solving skills is my way of planting a seed that will hopefully propel them toward success.”

Tyler Turman, another PEER mentor, also weighed in on his motivation to promote STEM. He said, “Participating in events like these helps break the mold for what a scientist looks like. It promotes diversity and inspires students to become anything they want!”

Angela Wright said of the PEER mentors, “They are definitely an exceptional group of young men. We had a great time together. The mentees really enjoyed talking to them. They have made connections with the mentees and offered amazing advice with each encounter.”

Because of the passion for outreach shown by the PEER mentors, these younger students see the possibilities that go along with a degree in STEM.

Written by Beth Anne Johnson, College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences

From summer camp to college freshman, Skyler Holland is back on campus to craft a bright future and create success. Hailing from Hampton, South Carolina, Holland joins the 4200 first-year students on campus this fall as a general engineering student in the College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences.

Inspired by her days as a middle school camper, Holland is working hard and studying often in hopes of joining the Holcombe Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. “I was inspired by the solar panel robots we built during Project WISE,” she explains, “I loved taking it apart, studying the mechanics and piecing it back together.”

As a part of the educational outreach programs, PEER & WISE hosts 60 middle school students each summer. The campers then participate in the foundations of engineering, computing and applied science with hands-on and engaging opportunities taught by Clemson University faculty.

“The faculty are an integral part of our success at Project WISE,” says Serita Acker, executive director of PEER & WISE, “They join us in celebrating diversity and inclusion in STEM education and even more so, that these fields are fun and for everyone.”

Holland’s experience from camper to college freshman demonstrates the viability of these engagement opportunities with young students. Holland shares, “I knew Clemson was the place for me. It felt like home then, and it feels like home now.”

“We love to hear stories like Skyler’s,” shares Beth Anne Johnson, associate director of the WISE Program. “It lets us know we are doing our part to recruit and retain South Carolina’s best and brightest students.”

Holland joins the Clemson family during unprecedented times, but as Johnson shares, Holland seems well adjusted and making the most of her first year at Clemson. “We met over Zoom and enjoyed getting to know one another! Skyler expressed how she would like to help with Project WISE in future summers and I could not be more delighted. How powerful it would be for young campers to hear her story!”

Plans for Project WISE are already in the works with camp counselor applications opening February 2021. Without a doubt, PEER & WISE is looking forward to serving a new cohort of campers. For more information about our Project WISE camp, visit our website.

STEM Day, a PEER and WISE outreach program brings together underrepresented middle school students from the Upstate to Clemson University for an introduction to the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Hands-on activities and demonstrations, led by Clemson faculty and students, let these young people know about careers and related opportunities available in science and technical fields.

We held STEM Day 2019 on Feb. 9 and drew about 50 students.

In the chemical engineering workshop, students built cars powered by solar energy and saltwater.  The electrical engineering session showed them how to use brainpower to control a Lego robot. Students in the civil engineering class learned how engineers design safe sustainable buildings, and how they design safe ways for controlled demolition of old buildings.

Attendees also were able to take advantage of a lunch that brought them together with PEER mentors and WISE Big Sisters.  This session provided information on campus life and what the Clemson Experience is all about.

“Reaching young people about STEM careers is critical,” said Serita Acker, program director for PEER and WISE.  “Our ability to recruit and retain underrepresented groups in engineering and science is vital to creating a diverse workforce.”

Originally Published: Clemson Newsstand

During the fall semester, PEER/WISE hosted 2 days dedicated to showing potential students what the university offers. The event includes showing the prospect of pursuing a STEM major in college. We invited all South Carolina high schools to select 2 top-performing junior or senior women in college preparatory programs, maintaining a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, to attend WISE Choice. For PEER Snapshot, we invited three underrepresented students upholding the same requirements from South Carolina high schools.

WISE Choice was held on November 11, 2016, with around 48 students attending. We held PEER Snapshot the following Friday, November 18, with about 31 students in attendance. They experienced a day of activities, mock classroom experiences, and tours. The department hosts these special days so that potential students from the area are familiar with Clemson, the possibility for STEM majors, and willing to consider both when filling out college applications. Since the events, students have reached out to the department to request more information, tours, a general love for Clemson–it would appear we had a productive few days!

Monthly, mentors from PEER and WISE travel to McCant’s and Lakeside middle schools to teach girls about STEM field careers. As part of a program called “It’s a Girl Thing,” the department hopes we both instill a love and inspire girls to pursue STEM careers. This semester our mentors taught the girls about Civil Engineering and Computer Science/Engineering. Later, the PEER/WISE department will host a field trip for those in the program at Clemson University to further show what they can expect from these careers. In April, we will hold a banquet for the participants to celebrate the future of women in STEM.