Crownpoint, NM – On Tuesday, October 1, 2024, Navajo Technical University (NTU) proudly hosted an inspiring workshop for middle and high school students from the New Mexico MESA West Region at the main campus’s vibrant wellness center. Shawndeana Smith, the esteemed West Region Coordinator for NM MESA, warmly welcomed 125 bright students from five local middle schools to the NTU campus.
The students were treated to delightful refreshments and then eagerly divided into five groups to embark on an exhilarating journey through five engaging workshops throughout the day. These workshops included the thrilling Solar Car Building, fascinating Slinky Seismology, exciting Marshmallow Challenge, and an enthralling Escape Room activity.
During their lunch break, the students were given an exclusive campus tour. Enthusiastic volunteers skillfully led the other workshops from Sandia National Laboratories, who supported the students in building, completing, and showcasing their projects. The day’s highlight was when the students joyfully took home the solar cars they had built and raced them against each other. It was an incredibly successful event, providing invaluable hands-on experience to middle and high school students passionate about STEM fields.
Marlon Ramos, the Science Program Lead for Dream Catchers, enthusiastically expressed, “We are dedicated to collaborating with the American Indian Outreach Committee to raise awareness about the exciting world of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and to inspire future generations to pursue careers in these fields. Our partnership with NTU and NM Mesa is precious, and we are eager to continue our active involvement in these impactful events. Together, we are making a positive difference in the world of STEM!”
Shawndeana Smith, with her wealth of experience as the West Region Coordinator for New Mexico MESA, has been an indispensable force for fifteen years and has been working closely with Sandia for seven years. Her dedication to recruiting volunteers for the event has been truly remarkable. The turnout for the event has consistently been outstanding, and it has been truly heartwarming to witness so many students enthusiastically participating. The students were thrilled with the swag and goodies they received and took home. In her role, Shawndeana passionately assists schools in promoting students from diverse backgrounds to thrive in STEM fields.
Some of the schools that visited were:
– McKinley Academy
– Los Alamitos Middle School
– Crownpoint High School
– Thoreau High School/McKinley Branch
– Thoreau Middle School/Crownpoint Middle School
Brenda Yazzie
NTU Recruiter
P: (505) 387-7427
E: b.yazzie@navajotech.edu
NTU Website: www.navajotech.edu
Candice S. Craig
Dual Credit Coordinator
P: 505-387-7514
E: c.craig@navajotech.edu
