What do a hydroponic garden, tipsy fruit flies, and a high altitude balloon have in common? Everything, when it comes to STEM! These are just a few of the research projects happening at Wake Tech. They’re part of START, the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Academic Research and Training program. The program encourages students studying different subjects to work together, use their brain power, and communicate with each other – all skills needed in STEM fields!

Osvaldo Rodriguez

“Chemists, biologists, engineers, and others in STEM careers aren’t always in a lab,” says Jackie Swanik, Associate Dean of Mathematics, Sciences & Engineering. “They share research and collaborate on new ideas and innovations. We want our students to be well rounded!”

The students are catching on! The hydroponic herb garden, located in the STEM Lab on the Northern Wake Campus, was truly a team effort. Students assembled the garden, which uses water instead of soil, in a plastic container. They built a motor to keep the water flowing and a wooden box to hold everything. They also met with other students and instructors in the culinary department to discuss what kind of herbs would work best for the project. The communication was vital because the organic herbs are now being used in the kitchens!

Another experiment involves fruit flies. Students are using the insects to study genetic factors that might cause a pre-disposition to alcoholism in humans.

Outdoors, students are planting two pollinator gardens on the Northern Wake Campus that will contain a variety of flowers and plants that attract monarch butterflies. Others are taking their research to new heights. They designed an experiment that was carried into the earth’s upper atmosphere by a helium balloon. The cargo was equipped with GPS that allowed students to find it and collect data after the balloon popped and fell to the ground.

These research projects demonstrate how important it is to work as a team and require students to use what they’ve learned in their classes. “We want to show them how important general education courses, like calculus, are to a successful STEM career,” says Swanik. The projects are diverse and fun, and that’s intentional, she says. “We have several different projects to capture a variety of interests. We want students to get excited about STEM!”

Budding scientists like Osvaldo Rodriguez are definitely excited! He and other STEM students showcased their impressive work at the annual meeting of the NC Association of Science held at Wake Tech. Osvaldo says the experience was invaluable. “This was the first time I presented my work to a scientific community outside the classroom. I gained new insight into my strengths and weaknesses as a presenter and I learned how I could improve my research – it was really eye opening!”

That enthusiasm is just what Swanik wants to hear. “We want these projects to ignite a spark – one that carries the students through their education and into a career!”

No doubt, there is enthusiasm for STEM at Wake Tech, thanks in part to research that is giving students a
head START!

For more information on STEM education at Wake Tech visit STEM.waketech.edu.