Middle and high school students from across the state completed challenges with faculty in the Department of Engineering, grew leadership skills and built community through programs inside the Innovation Quad.
Middle and high school students from across the state got a taste of Elon University on Jan. 24, when the Department of Engineering hosted the N.C. Technology Student Association’s STEM Leadership Conference.
Around 50 students participated in the conference, centered around the theme “Engineer Your Future.” The half-day event in Innovation and Founders Halls included challenges led by Department of Engineering faculty, workshops on leadership with NCTSA peers, and a session with representatives of Elon’s Office of Admissions.
The NCTSA is part of the national Technology Student Association, nurturing expertise in the fields of science, technology, engineering, mathematics and business education. Chapters exists in middle schools and high schools across the state, and members are invited to several conferences each year, along with regional, state and national STEM competitions.
“The beauty of the NCTSA is that we focus on building STEM leadership and service alongside competitive events,” said Jerianne Taylor, state advisor and executive director of NCTSA. “We want to develop them as future STEM leaders and develop those durable skills they’re going to need in their careers, like teamwork and communication. These events also build community among our students, which is very important to us an organization.”
John Ring, director of engineering outreach for the Department of Engineering, worked with Taylor to organize the event.
“All of these students are leaders in their own schools’ NCTSA chapters, so we know that they are interested in STEM and will likely pursue STEM careers,” Ring said. “This was a great way to get them to Elon, show them our campus and give them an idea of what Elon engineering is all about, while having some fun.”
Along with Associate Professor of Engineering Jon Su and Assistant Professor of Engineering Blake Hament, Ring led an exercise where teams were challenged to design and build towers inside Hunt Atrium. Students used masking tape, balloons, skewers and popsicle sticks and asked to create the highest possible perch for a tennis ball.
Upstairs, NCTSA leaders had students walk blindfolded through mazes made from balloons and orange cones, with teammates directing them from the sidelines.
Ted Boulanger, a sophomore at Apex Friendship High School in Apex, North Carolina, and the NCTSA’s sergeant at arms, said events like the one held Friday helped him find community and grow as a leader.
“NCTSA really helped me find my people and come out of my shell, and I think it’s a big part of why I’m the leader I am today,” Boulanger said. “We want to encourage NCTSA students to be leaders and get them comfortable having leadership roles. Those are things you need in the workforce.”