Victoria Finizio
Contributing Writer
On Friday, Oct. 18, the STEM Success Initiative (SSI) hosted a STEM Bash to kick off Homecoming weekend. Student organizations like Minorities in STEM, Geology Club and Pre-Health Club surrounded the Academic Quad to share their scientific interests with others. Attendees were also welcome to enjoy cookies, brownies and hot apple cider as they explored the tables.
STEM Zone intern Abigail Williams ’26 explained that the goal of the event was “to get students excited about STEM, whether or not they’re a STEM major.” At the same time, the STEM Bash was designed to introduce students to clubs, different majors and STEM campus resources.
Each club brought activities and snacks for students to enjoy. Student leaders also encouraged others to join their clubs and share their love for STEM. Students in the Chemistry Club showed attendees how to make colorful volcanoes with baking soda and vinegar, while the Astronomy Club brought a telescope. Greenhouse Club simulated fracking with chocolate chip cookies. WooData administered a coding challenge and the Neuroscience Club deconstructed brain models.
Many tables rewarded students with candy or a science sticker for stopping by.
The Physics Club offered students liquid-nitrogen ice cream and explained the science behind the treat. President Lily Baker ’25 hoped that the STEM Bash would allow students who are usually intimidated by challenging science subjects to see that “physics can be fun” and is a “very open and welcoming environment.” She wanted to highlight that Physics Club is for everyone, “even if they don’t know everything there is to know about physics.”
STEM Bash attendee Raegan Herdman ’27 “had a great time exploring all of the amazing activities and clubs.” Her favorite was the Pre-Dental Society, which had an indirect vision coloring activity. Pre-Dental Society president Elissa Halpin ’26 shared that they chose to bring the indirect vision activity so students could get a greater “appreciation for what dentists do.”
The activity is already a staple of their club meetings, but they wanted to bring it to a wider audience around campus. Vice President Laura Park ’27 also stated that they are “trying to get [the Pre-Dental Society] out there within the campus community because [we] are a smaller group.”
In addition to the student clubs, the event included tabling from the Global Engagement Office and the Pathways program. Students could learn how to fit experiential learning opportunities, including internships and study abroad, into their STEM education.
As students arrived at the event, they could place a ticket into a raffle to pie a STEM professor. The event concluded with a pie in the face for professors Paul Bonvallet and Brandi James of the chemistry department, professor Matthew Mariola of the environmental studies department and professor Amy Jo Stavnezer from the psychology and neuroscience departments.
The STEM Bash brought STEM-loving students and faculty together for educational and engaging activities. Free snacks and stickers may have initially attracted some students, but everyone left having learned something new about science and the various on-campus STEM organizations and resources.