STEAM Day draws 250 students to the Roundhouse

Educators from the Laboratory’s Bradbury Science Museum and other representatives of the Lab joined more than 250 students from across New Mexico at the Roundhouse in Santa Fe on Feb. 1 for this year’s STEAM Day at the Legislature, hosted by the LANL Foundation.

The Bradbury Science Museum’s table featured hands-on science activities for students. The museum was one of more than 25 other organizations in attendance, joining Laboratory partners NM MESA, Pojoaque Valley Middle School, Santa Fe Community College and Twirl Taos.

School teams including Capital High School in Santa Fe also displayed their winning projects from the LANL-supported New Mexico Governor’s STEM Challenge.

Laboratory Staff Director Frances Chadwick joined student speakers and legislators Rep. Susan Herrera, Rep. Joseph Sanchez, and Sen. Leo Jaramillo at a lunchtime press conference to underscore the Laboratory's support for STEAM education and workforce pipeline projects to help young people in the state pursue careers in science, technology and engineering.

“STEM education has played a crucial role in shaping my academic journey and has opened my eyes to a world of possibilities,” said Daniel Chavez, a student at Pojoaque Valley Sixth Grade Academy. “It equips us with the skills and knowledge needed for the jobs of tomorrow and ensures that we can contribute meaningfully to the advancement of our community and society.”

Battelle, one of the organizations that makes up Laboratory operator Triad, awarded LANL Foundation a STEMx grant to support student participation at the event, allowing more students from rural and Tribal schools to attend.