Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
If you hear the words “science project,” and break out into a cold sweat, well, you’re probably not alone.
But some folks at Eastern New Mexico University and the Portales Public Library are kicking off afterschool programs in September designed to share their own expertise and enthusiasm with kids who want to know more about science, technology, engineering, and math (popularly known by the acronym STEM).
Although Eastern’s STEM Club is starting its second year, this will be the first session for Jessica Curtis, the new STEM outreach coordinator, and she can’t wait.
A recent ENMU graduate, Curtis came to the Portales area through an assignment at Cannon Air Force Base, but has a longtime love of the material she’s preparing to share when the STEM Club starts meeting on Sept. 12.
“In elementary school, I was able to attend a nature-science camp in Santa Cruz, California,” she said, “and it absolutely sparked a passion for wildlife and conservation. After the Air Force I walked straight into ENMU and signed up for the Wildlife and Fisheries Program. I would love to see that same spark in students’ eyes. They absolutely can make a difference in this world and I want to empower them to do so.”
Eastern’s STEM Club is aimed at students from grades six through 12, as well as undergraduates at ENMU. They will meet from 4-6 p.m. on Wednesdays through March in room 108 of the ENMU Science Building.
The group is entirely funded by a grant through the United States Department of Education, Curtis said. Because ENMU is designated as an Hispanic Serving Institution, or HSI, “we aim to increase enrollment, retention, and graduation in STEM programs,” Curtis explained, “particularly for minorities, first generation, and low income students.”
That being said, Curtis stresses that STEM Club is open to any area student — including home-schooled students — who want to participate.
“We serve the local community and beyond,” she said. “Please contact us if you would like to be involved.”
The program offers sixth-through-12th graders “opportunities to learn and actively do science in STEM Club and in STEM-based competitions,” Curtis said.
Many participants use the weekly time to conduct ongoing research or work on projects for the annual Southeast New Mexico Regional Research Challenge.
But, Curtis noted, “They don’t have to work on a science project. They can just come for the activities and learn from other’s projects. We can help them narrow down ideas for projects. That’s all part of the planning process: what question to answer, what data to collect, what resources are necessary, what is the scope, etc.”
If you have younger kids or grandkids looking for an avenue to pursue STEM activities in a lighthearted setting, check out the weekly afterschool program at the Portales Public Library that begins at 4 p.m. Sept. 4.
Assistant children’s librarian Emily Tibbs said budding scientists from kindergarten through sixth grade are welcome at the free weekly hour-long sessions designed to encourage imagination and exploration.
Last year’s activities included “creating a leprechaun trap at St. Patrick’s Day and doing ‘Three Little Pigs’ construction projects,” Tibbs said. “We provided the materials and they came up with really clever products.”
Those interested in the ENMU Stem Club need to sign up by Sept. 1, Curtis said, which can be done by calling her at 575-562-2407, or sending her an email at:
The Portales Public Library program does not require advance registration, but anyone who would like more information can contact Tibbs or children’s librarian Tawna Luscombe at 575-356-3940.
Betty Williamson is working on a fake sixth-grade ID so she can do both programs. Reach her at:
