Science, technology, engineering and mathematics go beyond the white lab coat. At USC, students are showing kids that STEM can come in many forms and are redefining what it looks like to be a scientist.
STEM on Wheels is a student-led club at USC, aimed at exposing younger students, specifically those in second through fourth grade, to STEM career paths. They introduce STEM field opportunities by traveling to local elementary schools.
Club founder and president Marina Ostanina, a fourth-year biology and public health student, said younger students often think a career in STEM is limited to a doctor or engineer. The goal of the club is to break that mindset and have students explore the many career options that STEM offers, Ostanina said.
Ostanina said she was inspired by her love for science and led a similar program in high school that brought science activities to schools. She decided she would step into a leadership role and create a club that is accessible to everyone while encouraging STEM passions.
"We have a volcanologist presentation, we have a zoologist, we have an aquarist," Ostanina said. "The volcanologist is probably my favorite. And we do a Simon says activity with it ... (The students) still remember the facts to this day, and it's insane how quickly they learn when you really engage them."
For the aquarist presentation, Ostanina said the students were asked to create their own “aquarium” made from construction paper and pencils. They drew fish tanks and other aquatic creatures while exploring what an aquarist does. During a chemistry presentation, students played a dancing game representing elements and their chemical interactions.
Ostanina said some of the best memories come from unexpected ways that students show their excitement.
"We were doing the volcanologist presentation," Ostanina said, "We had a specific temperature that a volcano got to … we asked who remembers this ... and there was one kid who could not get it right. He was always off by a few numbers. And I remember his mom came to pick him up … and all of a sudden, I just hear the little kid roll down the window and scream (the correct answer)."
Ostanina felt this was a special moment, as she said it showed the kids really cared about the information and that they will go home and tell their family what they learned about.
Lexi Brown is a third-year biology student who serves as the vice president of the club. She first became involved during her first year, around the time the club was just beginning. Her favorite part of the organization comes from the connections she has made with the young students.
“Just seeing how excited they get when they see that we show up, and (they ask), 'What are we learning about today?'" Brown said. "Just the excitement every time, and they come up and give us big hugs, and they’re so sad whenever we leave."
Margaux LePage is a first-year biology student and recently joined STEM on Wheels this semester.
Lepage said there’s strong value in being exposed to different career options at a young age.
“I think maybe learning about those at a younger age could have piqued my curiosity or my interest in something like that a long time ago,” LePage said.
LePage made a presentation explaining what an entomologist does and said it would have benefited her to learn about more STEM professions such as entomology at a younger age.
Through hands-on activities and school visits, LePage said STEM on Wheels gives USC students the opportunity to share what they are passionate about and help to inspire the younger students in the process.
"Some people know what they want to do, and some people don't," LePage said. "And it's okay to explore your options."
The club is open to all majors, and there are no dues, allowing accessibility for all students at USC.
The organization offers leadership positions every semester, and students can join at any time. School visits are scheduled monthly with different times throughout the day. Participants meet at a designated time by the cul-de-sac near the fountain by the Thomas Cooper Library. From there, students will carpool to local schools and earn two service hours per visit.
Additionally, the club offers other ways of getting involved, such as donation drives including one for Midlands Orphan Relief.
More information about STEM on Wheels can be found through their Instagram and GroupMe.