An unveiling of a new, refurbished space for students in STEM took place on Thursday, March 14. Funded by the Perkins Grant and the California Strong Workforce Program, the initiative took place with the goal to advance career and technical education for students interested in all areas of STEM. It offers students a quiet study zone with mobile furniture suitable for groups. Other amenities include an array of computers with software tailored for engineers and a 3D printer.
Fullerton College held a celebration for the opening of the new STEM Center located behind the 400 building. The grand opening event started with a number of speeches by notable guests including Carlos Aguirre, the Director of Academic Support at Fullerton College, guest keynote speaker Jamaruis Reid who works for NASA’s Office of STEM and alumni of Fullerton College as well as current STEM focused students. After the speeches were activities including science demonstrations, a ribbon cutting ceremony, piñatas and a tour of the facility.
“I’m here to pass the torch to all of you,” said Jamaruis Reid, referring to sharing his academic story. Reee spoke about being a young boy growing up in an impoverished neighborhood, when he had a fascination for aviation and a dream of becoming an astronaut, and he was met with laughter from friends and family. He held on to his vision, which meant switching to a high school that was on the other side of the city he lived in. During his sophomore year he met a teacher who was a former NASA scientist and would help make possible the dreams of a young Reed.
“I expect that when you all walk through these doors behind me, when you walk into the STEM Center, when you are walking this campus I expect for you to fight every day like your dreams depend on this,” said Reid.
The event showcased a few demonstrations, one of which had the school mascot, Buzzy, break a cinder block with a hammer on top of a faculty member’s stomach. When struck, the faculty member left unscathed, but debris from the cinderblock popped a balloon just a few feet away.
After the starting speeches were over the attendees moved from the campus quad to the entrance of the STEM center for the ribbon cutting ceremony followed by a piñata. Students and faculty members took turns swinging and stabbing the rocket ship piñata adorned with Fullerton College’s colors and mascot.
The event ended off with a grand tour of the STEM center, showing off the features such as the laser cutter, 3D printer specimens, a meeting room with a touch screen projector for interactive showcases and new furniture that is easily moved around for dynamic groups working on a project.
“The goal is to grow bigger and stronger for the STEM students … We’re already on a solid foundation,” said Aguirre. He added that there are plans on getting more equipment for hands-on training as well as more tutors.
