A fest of all possible worlds

The 11th Science Festival for local schoolchildren and their families, held annually at Penn College (but for that 2021 COVID-related pause), brought 682 adventurous participants to the campus Field House on Feb. 16.  "Science Festival is a great opportunity for the college to engage faculty and students, industry partners, and the community to showcase how science and STEM-related concepts relate to career choices," said Tanya Berfield, director of K-12 outreach. "Our goal is to encourage elementary and middle schools students to pursue classes to build their interests and skills that lead to in-demand and relevant career opportunities." The interactive expo – a satellite event for the USA Science & Engineering Festival – is sponsored by Penn College, the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce and Lycoming College.

– Photos by Alexis M. Burrell, student photographer;
and Stefanie M. Shipe, coordinator of K-12 outreach

 

Exploring the DNA-rich goodness of a strawberry

Lauryn A. Stauffer, an automation engineering technology: robotics & automation student from Bath, helps a child build a helicopter (and elicits pure wonderment along the way).

A starstruck child meets the Penn College mascot.

Charting a path for a robot to follow

We have liftoff!

A portable primer on waste management

Busy interaction at the 4-H Club table

This pair learns a powerful lesson, courtesy of the Penn College electrical department.

Virtual reality in the real world

Children simulate the devastating effects of an earthquake by erecting structures, then shaking the platform beneath their building-block creations.

Lessons from the backyard: native birds and plants

Kayleann Finan, a physical therapist assistant student from Watsontown, checks a youngster's reflexes.

At the physician assistant studies table, Ryan Y. Park, of Newcastle, Wash., puts a camera into a child's ear, allowing her to assess the view on a handheld screen. Partially visible in the background is PA classmate Phillip J. Silvagni, of Williamsport.

Looking to the skies, 2021 industrial design alumnus Ryan A. Kunst exudes confidence and vision while volunteering with the Society of Inventors and Mad Scientists.

State Rep. Jamie L. Flick, a 1981 alum who represents the 83rd District, enjoys a courtside meet-up with the Wildcat. The first-term Republican graduated from Williamsport Area Community College in 1981 with a degree in computer information systems.

Stephanie Phillips-Taggart, a frequent visitor to campus, engages visitors to the Keystone Wood Products Association booth.

A functioning traffic light helps draw youngsters to the electrical booth, where Tucker B. Lewis – a building automation engineering technology student from Asbury, N.J., proves an accommodating guide.

See you next time!

Young members of the Penn College community get a hands-on feel for some of the remedial tools used by physical therapist assistants.