CULLMAN, Ala. –Cullman High School hosted its first STEM Day recently, a partnership with local industries and associations to showcase the many career and study opportunities available within the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields.
STEM Day at Cullman High School was essentially an in-school field trip where students rotated across nine different stations. The school system collaborated with Wallace State Community College, the University of Alabama in Huntsville, Drummond Coal, AMSTI, Alabama Technology in Motion and the cybersecurity and engineering Career Tech instructors at Cullman High. Almost 200 students participated in STEM Day.
Students engaged with hands-on stations focused on fields such as engineering, robotics, computer-aided drafting, nursing, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and more. Students had the opportunity to learn about the Career Technical Education (CTE) courses offered at CHS, experience new technologies, network with university professors and industry leaders and gain experience and information about career opportunities in the STEM fields.
“The goal is to grow this into a major event where local industry and Cullman City Schools come together for the good of our students. Our community asked for added STEM-related courses and exposure for students, and STEM is a growing phenomenon in industry,” Cullman High School engineering teacher Mike Gay explained. “The students we are preparing today will be working in STEM-related careers that don’t even exist today. Getting students on board the train and offering them more opportunities in STEM will give them the advantage of being better informed and prepared to make career-related decisions in the future.”
Cullman City Schools CTE Coordinator Lindsay Brannon noted the event will expose students to opportunities and potential career pathways they might not have realized were possible within STEM fields.
“It connects students with professionals who can offer insights into the various career paths available in these fields. Through engaging activities, demonstrations and presentations, students can discover the exciting possibilities within STEM,” she said. “It also offers hands-on learning opportunities, allowing students to actively engage with STEM concepts and develop important skills such as problem-solving and analytical thinking. These events bring together students, teachers, industry professionals and community members, creating opportunities for collaboration, networking and mentorship.”
