Students deserve to engage in activities that offer hands-on learning, innovation, and inspiration. The annual GEAR UP New Mexico and STEM Santa Fe Pathways Conference gathered over 100 middle-school students in Albuquerque on April 15-16. Through interactive sessions, students explored college and career options in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
Learners took part in hands-on workshops on robotics, veterinary science, ecology and quantum computing. They also attended a STEM college and career fair. The event featured the University of New Mexico School of Engineering, Sandia National Laboratories, and other STEM focused groups.
UNM amazed students with 3D-printed designs and shared opportunities in biological, mechanical, and electrical engineering. New Mexico State University’s STEM Outreach Center showcased programmable Ozobots and set up a photo booth for the dance. Meanwhile, Rio Grande Nature Center State Park engaged students with hands-on displays of local wildlife to life, including pelts and bones.
Additionally, students built marshmallow towers and prototyped inventions in workshops led by STEM Santa Fe. They also delved into fields like veterinary medicine and quantum computing.They even dissected owl pellets as part of the interactive learning activities.
Building Curiosity and Confidence in STEM
GEAR UP New Mexico operates as a division of the New Mexico Higher Education Department. The federally funded program aims to increase access to college and career readiness resources for students in grades seven through 12. GEAR UP partners with middle and high schools across eight districts, serving high proportions of rural and first-generation students.
“Over two exciting, action-packed days, students across New Mexico engaged in hands-on STEM experiences that sparked curiosity and built confidence” said Dr. Corine Ripberger, GEAR UP New Mexico Director.
“These experiences help our GEAR UP students connect classroom learning to real-world careers and build critical skills like problem-solving, collaboration, and innovation. Opportunities like the GEAR UP STEM Conference are essential to strengthening New Mexico’s future workforce and expanding pathways to high-demand STEM careers.”
Encouraging Students to Pursue Ideas
During the event, keynote speakers inspired students, stressing how big ideas can evolve into real-world solutions. Alissa Chavez is an entrepreneur of Hot Seat, a product she originally developed as a science fair project. She spoke to the students and urged them to work toward their ideas.
“It is always a privilege to support GEAR UP New Mexico and the work they are doing with students. I started my first company as a teenager after participating in a STEM event, so I am a big advocate for STEM events for students,” Chavez said.
“These types of events are so important because they give students more opportunities to explore careers or ideas they maybe had not previously been interested in. I hope that sharing my story can encourage other young entrepreneurs and students to explore every path and find what they are passionate about. GEAR UP and this STEM conference are so important to keep students creative and motivated to learn.”
The conference also featured Alefiya Master, CEO of MAD-learn, an award-winning program that teaches students to create their own apps. She shared with students how she built a career developing two education technology programs. Master said anyone can get involved in STEM, even if they had never planned to.