The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Center for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Research, Education and Outreach needs volunteers to assist with the upcoming Research Challenge.
The Research Challenge will bring about 250 entrants to campus Saturday, March 23. Volunteers are needed to judge the projects of area students from grades 5-12, as well as assist with the execution of the event itself.
“Volunteers are a vital part of what makes our events successful,” said Sean Herberts, STEM outreach coordinator. “This is especially important for the annual Research Challenge. Providing students with the opportunity to share their discoveries with an adult is the most meaningful part of the event. Without judges, the competition wouldn’t be capable of such a tremendous impact.”
Although advance registration is not required to participate as a judge or a volunteer, Herberts said it would help the STEM Center determine volunteer assignments prior to the event. Volunteer judges are asked to report to the MUC Conference Center at 8:30 a.m. the day of the event to take part in a short orientation. Following the orientation, they will review the projects on display. After the first round of judging takes place, which Herberts said will be shortly after noon, the ballroom is opened to the community. At that time, there will be a second round of judging for specialty awards including selection of the students being sent to the state and international science fairs.
The awards ceremony will be held following the judging at about 3 p.m. in the Goshen Lounge. Everyone is welcome.
For more information, or to register in advance as a volunteer, contact Herberts through the STEM Center, (618) 650-3065, or visit stemideas.org.