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Soccer, STEM, and Central found common ground at Trinity Health Stadium on May 23 when the Hartford Athletic professional soccer team hosted its second annual STEM and Soccer Education Day.
“STEM” refers to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, and the event invited thousands of students from Hartford area schools to present their own recent STEM projects and observe other STEM-related demonstrations staged by STEM professionals and educators from the Greater Hartford area. Guests were treated to a free Hartford Athletic game at the end of the day.
Central Connecticut State University (Central) joined the fun and served as one of several sponsors of the event, with several faculty, students, and staff in attendance. Central Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Kimberly Kostelis saw the event as a great opportunity to opportunity to show younger students how far they can take their interest in STEM subjects.
“Community engagement is part of who we are at Central.” she said, “A lot of these schools are right in our backyard, and they haven’t heard of us. So being able to get out and have them see what we’re about and interact with our faculty is very important to us.”
Team Central staffed three tables at the event, and visitors to the booths received free rally towels to show their team spirit during the match. Engineering Department faculty also chatted with visitors about drones and engine dynamics, and Biomolecular Science graduate students conducted an experiment to tie-dye materials using permanent markers and alcohol.
“As it dries, all of these colors will kind of like run together and bleed together and you have like a little tie dye look,” Central graduate student Lissa Black explained.
Hartford Athletic Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications John Ponziani said next year’s event promises to be bigger and better.
“It’s a really exciting day. The kids are walking all throughout the concourse checking out so many different projects,” he said. “It’s a special event, and we’re excited to have everybody out here.”