College offers family-friendly STEM education at Summer's Biggest Party      

In keeping with this year’s Clark County Fair Theme of “Science Fun,” Clark College is offering a host of family-friendly, hands-on activities promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM).

Clark students, staff, and faculty will lead demonstrations every day of the fair, which runs from August 5-14. Clark College was invited to participate in this year’s theme to highlight the college’s highly regarded STEM programs, as well as the opening of its new STEM building this fall.

All activities take place in the college’s exhibit area in South Hall 1 and are free with fair admission. Scheduled events include:

Teeth and Technology
The Clark College Dental Hygiene program demonstrates modern ultrasonic methods of removing tartar or calculus from teeth. Fri, Aug. 5: 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m. – noon, 1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Science Fun with the N.E.R.D. Girls
Clark College’s N.E.R.D. (Not Even Remotely Dorky) Girls, a student club focused on getting younger students interested in engineering, lead hands-on activities like building balloon-powered pinwheels and demonstrating Newton’s third law of motion. Sat, Aug. 6: 11:30 – noon, 1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Pharmacy Innovations
Learn about new, high-tech ways of compounding pharmaceuticals from Clark College Pharmacy Technician faculty. Sun, Aug. 7: 11:30 – noon, 1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m., 2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Fri, Aug. 12: 11:30 a.m. – noon.

The Science of Sourdough
Learn all about fermentation when Clark College baking instructor Alison Dolder explains how sourdough is made. Try some delicious sourdough pancakes and take home a little sourdough starter of your own. Mon, Aug. 8: 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., 1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Sat, Aug. 13: 11:30 – noon, 1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

POKE-A-MAN!
Faculty from the Clark College Phlebotomy program will demonstrate how to draw blood from a model arm. Participants can use a centrifuge to make their own aliquots from imitation blood and plasma. Tues, Aug. 9: 11:30 a.m. – noon, 1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m., 2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Simulation Technology and Nursing Education
Meet the “Sims,” the lifelike automatons used by Clark College nursing students in the college’s state-of-the-art simulation lab to practice procedures ranging from tracheotomy to childbirth. Wed, Aug. 10: 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m. – noon, 1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Sun, Aug. 14: 11:30 a.m. – noon.

Additionally, visitors can test their dexterity at the college’s Automotive Technology installation and view STEM-related student projects, including an aluminum boat created by some of the college’s welding students. The college also will have staff available during the fair to answer questions about available programs, GED courses, Running Start, financial aid, and more. Staff also will be available to assist current students with registering for fall classes, looking up records, and other student support needs—and Clark’s lovable mascot, Oswald the Penguin, will be present many afternoons and evenings for photos with children.

For those interested in attending Clark, the $25.00 application fee will be waived for the first 50 applicants each day who apply at the fair. Current students and alumni and students will be able to stop by the booth for special giveaways and drawings for prizes.

For more information, visit www.clark.edu/cc/fair and follow Clark College on social media.

Photo: Clark College/Jenny Shadley