The Rossin College was a sponsor of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs’ STEAM Night, held Saturday, April 13, at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown.
The annual event connects local institutions in fields related to science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) with the community. The college provided support that allowed for 100 kids to attend the ballgame and take part in hands-on learning activities.
The event was well-attended, despite the brisk and windy early-spring conditions. The Rossin College delegation—staff members Chayah Wilbers and Maegan Anderson, Bioengineering Assistant Professor Tomas Gonzalez-Fernandez, and Dean Steve DeWeerth—led a variety of activities.
Young fans were introduced to basic binary code by making a beaded keychain that spelled out “Love Lehigh” when completed. Wilbers says that attendees were also challenged to “robot baseball,” where visitors attempted to code a Sphero robot to run the bases of a small replica of a baseball diamond.
“The STEAM Night event at the ballpark was clearly a positive experience for the children and families in attendance,” says Dean DeWeerth. “As university educators, we love these opportunities to expose young minds to the fascinating ways that science and engineering impacts our world. With a few household items and some creativity, perhaps we can help guide a few of tomorrow’s technical and scientific innovators toward their futures.”
Learn more about the Rossin College’s outreach programs and how you can participate.