Kids built and raced boats at the U.S. Coast Guard's STEM Saturday in Cleveland

A partnership with STEM Global Action exposed, engaged and inspired 133 future innovators, creators, makers and entrepreneurs to the science of buoyancy and density.

On Saturday, October 26, 2024, the United States Coast Guard hosted an exhilarating STEM Saturday titled "What Floats Your Boat? - Buoyancy & Density" at the Arnold Pinkney East Professional Center. This engaging morning brought together 133 students from grades K-12 for a hands-on experience focused on the principles of buoyancy and density. Cleveland's STEM Saturday, presented by the United States Coast Guard and executed by STEM Global Action, featured a dedicated team of 32 volunteers, including 10 college students and 22 U.S. Coast Guard professionals who contributed an impressive 112 mentor hours.

Inspiring Words from Leaders

Dr. Calvin Mackie, Founder and CEO of STEM NOLA and STEM Global Action, welcomed participants with enthusiasm, accompanied by his remarkable robots that captivated the young audience. Rear Admiral Jon P. Hickey, Ninth District Commander of the U.S. Coast Guard, also provided an enthusiastic welcome to children, parents, and volunteers alike. Both Dr. Mackie and Admiral Hickey emphasized the crucial role of STEM education and the workforce opportunities it opens for young innovators. Their inspiring words set a tone of excitement and possibility, highlighting the importance of nurturing future leaders in science and technology.

Engaging a Diverse Audience

The STEM Saturday was a tremendous success, with participants representing an impressive 73 schools across the Cleveland area. Notably, the registration demographics highlighted the event's inclusive nature: 30% of attendees were K-2nd graders, another 30% were in grades 3-5, 32% were in grades 6-8, and 8% were in grades 9-12. This diverse participation underscores the Coast Guard's commitment to engaging students at every educational level.

Promoting Accessibility in STEM

A significant aspect of STEM Saturday was its outreach to underrepresented communities. An impressive 58% of registered students qualified for the Free/Reduced Lunch Program, emphasizing the event's role in making STEM education accessible to all. Additionally, the gender representation was notable, with 57% of participants identifying as male and 43% as female, showcasing the Coast Guard's dedication to fostering inclusivity in STEM fields.

Hands-On Learning Experiences

Throughout the morning, students participated in a variety of interactive experiments, collaborating on teamwork and problem-solving challenges. They had the unique opportunity to design and test their own boats, applying the concepts of buoyancy and density in a fun and educational way. These hands-on activities not only sparked curiosity but also inspired innovation and creativity among the participants.

Building Future Innovators

The Coast Guard's partnership with STEM Global Action aligns with their mission to expose, engage, and inspire future innovators, creators, makers, and entrepreneurs. Together, they aim to cultivate the next generation of leaders in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, ensuring that all students have the opportunity to explore these vital fields.

A Community Effort

The success of STEM Saturday reflects the importance of community-driven initiatives that prioritize education and engagement. By fostering interest in STEM subjects among young learners, the United States Coast Guard is not just teaching principles of science and engineering but also nurturing the innovators of tomorrow.makers and entrepreneurs to the science of buoyancy and density.

On Saturday, October 26, 2024, the United States Coast Guard hosted an exhilarating STEM Saturday titled "What Floats Your Boat? - Buoyancy & Density" at the Arnold Pinkney East Professional Center. This engaging morning brought together 133 students from grades K-12 for a hands-on experience focused on the principles of buoyancy and density. Cleveland's STEM Saturday, presented by the United States Coast Guard and executed by STEM Global Action, featured a dedicated team of 32 volunteers, including 10 college students and 22 U.S. Coast Guard professionals who contributed an impressive 112 mentor hours.

Inspiring Words from Leaders

Dr. Calvin Mackie, Founder and CEO of STEM NOLA and STEM Global Action, welcomed participants with enthusiasm, accompanied by his remarkable robots that captivated the young audience. Rear Admiral Jon P. Hickey, Ninth District Commander of the U.S. Coast Guard, also provided an enthusiastic welcome to children, parents, and volunteers alike. Both Dr. Mackie and Admiral Hickey emphasized the crucial role of STEM education and the workforce opportunities it opens for young innovators. Their inspiring words set a tone of excitement and possibility, highlighting the importance of nurturing future leaders in science and technology.

Engaging a Diverse Audience

The STEM Saturday was a tremendous success, with participants representing an impressive 73 schools across the Cleveland area. Notably, the registration demographics highlighted the event's inclusive nature: 30% of attendees were K-2nd graders, another 30% were in grades 3-5, 32% were in grades 6-8, and 8% were in grades 9-12. This diverse participation underscores the Coast Guard's commitment to engaging students at every educational level.

Promoting Accessibility in STEM

A significant aspect of STEM Saturday was its outreach to underrepresented communities. An impressive 58% of registered students qualified for the Free/Reduced Lunch Program, emphasizing the event's role in making STEM education accessible to all. Additionally, the gender representation was notable, with 57% of participants identifying as male and 43% as female, showcasing the Coast Guard's dedication to fostering inclusivity in STEM fields.

Hands-On Learning Experiences

Throughout the morning, students participated in a variety of interactive experiments, collaborating on teamwork and problem-solving challenges. They had the unique opportunity to design and test their own boats, applying the concepts of buoyancy and density in a fun and educational way. These hands-on activities not only sparked curiosity but also inspired innovation and creativity among the participants.

Building Future Innovators

The Coast Guard's partnership with STEM Global Action aligns with their mission to expose, engage, and inspire future innovators, creators, makers, and entrepreneurs. Together, they aim to cultivate the next generation of leaders in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, ensuring that all students have the opportunity to explore these vital fields.

A Community Effort

The success of STEM Saturday reflects the importance of community-driven initiatives that prioritize education and engagement. By fostering interest in STEM subjects among young learners, the United States Coast Guard is not just teaching principles of science and engineering but also nurturing the innovators of tomorrow.

As we celebrate this successful event, let us recognize the collective effort of the 32 volunteers—10 college students and 22 U.S. Coast Guard professionals—who dedicated their time and expertise to help bring this vision to life. Together, we can continue to inspire curiosity and innovation within our community and encourage the next generation of STEM leaders.

Our Mission:

The mission of STEM Global Action is to expose, engage, and inspire future innovators, creators, makers and entrepreneurs through STEM-based activities and to opportunities in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. For additional information about STEM Global Action, visit our website at STEMGlobalAction.com.