PCS students attend annual STEM fair

PCS students attend annual STEM fair
Posted on 11/28/2018
Ninth-grader Ciera Hymas experiments with controlling a drone at the recent STEM fair in Anderson.On Nov. 16, ninth-graders from Plumas Charter School’s Quincy and Taylorsville sites traveled to Anderson to attend the fifth annual “Ignite Opportunity” STEM career day founded by the Shasta County Office of Education. STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and math.

“The STEM fair was a great way for students to be exposed to so many different career paths and opportunities in one location,” said Outdoor Education Coordinator Courtney Gomola, who accompanied the students. “STEM fields offer some of the fastest growing career opportunities for today’s youth.”

PCS has sent students to the event, which is open to ninth-graders from nine north state counties, for the past two years. The fair offers presentations from local STEM professionals, real-world anecdotes and advice, networking and interaction with locals working and studying in STEM fields, and challenging STEM activities.

“I learned about different STEM careers and how to get into them,” said one PCS attendee. “My favorite part was learning about STEM jobs because I want to have a STEM career path,” said another. A third student said, “This trip was really fun and cool!”

“Not only can students find well-paying STEM jobs in many fields all over the world,” said Gomola, “but STEM also provides opportunities for students to be creative and utilize skills they have and follow paths they are passionate about.”

For Plumas students specifically, said Gomola, jobs in STEM fields can provide a pathway to moving out of Plumas County and seeing new parts of the world. On the other hand, they can also provide a way for students to stay in Plumas and find fulfilling local careers.

This concept ties into PCS’s goal to expand career exposure for high school students, with special emphasis on local and regional job and education opportunities, said PCS Executive Director Taletha Washburn.

Plumas Charter School serves students countywide. To learn more, call 530-283-3851.

By Ingrid Burke, I. Burke Writing & Editing
[email protected]


In the photo: While her classmates look on, Plumas Charter School ninth-grader Ciera Hymas experiments with controlling a drone at the recent STEM fair in Anderson.