Mind Trekkers science festival at WSCC

VICTORY TWP. — Can you walk on water? Make ice cream in 60 seconds? Float a magnet in mid-air with no strings attached?

Thanks to AT&T Michigan and the Michigan Technological University Mind Trekkers, middle and high school students from the area will have the chance to try their hand at these and other science “magic tricks,” at West Shore Community College’s Science & Engineering Festival. The festival takes place on Mon, May 5, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and noon to 2:30 p.m.

Mind Trekkers is a travelling science show featuring dozens of hands-on experiences designed to reveal the science behind what looks like magic. Student and staff volunteers put on the show, which coordinator Tom Maynard calls “a science carnival.”

AT&T Michigan is sponsoring three science & engineering festivals at Michigan community colleges that week, all featuring the Michigan Technological University Mind Trekkers.

“AT&T is proud to partner with Michigan Tech to bring technology and engineering to life for high school students across the state,” said AT&T Michigan President Jim Murray. “Today’s students will be bringing the world tomorrow’s innovations and new technologies. It is exciting for everyone at AT&T to play a role opening these kinds of doors for Michigan students.”

Mind Trekkers piloted its STEM road shows with support from AT&T in May 2011, conducting events at the Traverse City Career and Tech Center, Lake Superior State University, and at Bay College – Escanaba and Bay College – Iron Mountain. The enthusiastic response from students and teachers, a majority from rural communities, helped launch Mind Trekkers.

Since then, the Michigan Tech Mind Trekkers have taken their science road show to festivals and expos all over the U.S. Hundreds of thousands of students, parents and teachers have participated.

“We are grateful to Michigan Tech and AT&T for bringing this exciting program to our area. We know this event will engage students in discovery and learning that will instill a lifelong interest in STEM. There is nothing more exciting than when students ‘get it’—and when they connect the relevancy of what they are learning to the potential of their future,” said Thom Hawley, WSCC director of college relations.