STEM-YEA 2022

our Club will sponsor 2 middle-school students for a  4-day, 3-night science academy for motivated, but underserved (defined as those students unable to access enrichment activities) rising 8^th graders. The STEM Youth Explorer Academy (STEM YEA) will hold its inaugural class at Albright College, Reading PA July 8^th-11^th, 2022. Utilizing state-of-the-art laboratories at the Science Research Institute (SRI) on the Albright campus, and following a curriculum developed by the SETI Institute (www.seti.org), the students will be stimulated and excited as they plunge into the theme of the program, “Astrobiology-Search for Life on Mars”. The curriculum includes didactic sessions, engineering projects, and a star-watch opportunity guided by volunteer astronomers. Multiple scientific disciplines, such as biology, chemistry, mathematics, and engineering will be incorporated into the program and should serve as a springboard into further inquiry from curious, engaged students. All meals will be provided by the Albright cafeteria and students will stay in the dorms on campus. The dorms will be monitored overnight by Rotary volunteers.  . All staff and volunteers that work in the program will be required to have the background clearances required of regular school personnel as well as the Rotary Youth Protection training and protocols.