Lind-Ritzville High School students join STEM Club

From the innovative technology in the latest smartphone to the more familiar engineering in the microwave oven, science, technology, engineering and math (also known as STEM) envelope us in 360 degrees of perseverance and discovery.

STEM improves our lives in more ways than we can begin to imagine, and consequently, the United States is facing a greater increase in STEM occupations: 17 percent from 2008 to 2018 compared to 9.8 percent for non-STEM jobs.

However, colleges have many scholars opting out of STEM fields shortly after enrolling. Beginning this school year, LRHS students are working to discontinue the trend.

The inaugural Lind-Ritzville STEM club will be preparing students for the high expectations of selective universities, encouraging students to explore STEM through hands on research and presentations and spreading the word about opportunities in STEM fields as members face the challenge of inventing a better, smarter and more prosperous world for tomorrow.

According to an article published on stemadvantage.org, “Only a third of bachelor’s degrees earned in the U.S. are in a STEM field, compared to 53 percent in China and 63 percent in Japan.”

One of STEM club’s goals is to prepare members for the rigors of not only admissions, but classes at prestigious and difficult to get into colleges and universities. STEM club’s first step, however, is to alert students of their options.

Jason Aldrich, science teacher at LRHS and STEM club advisor says, “I’m looking forward to helping kids with their college searches and understanding of high school readiness <and> high school requirements.”

He continues to say that he thinks there’s a general lack of knowledge in what it takes to compete <at a selective university>.

STEM club currently has a new bulletin board outside of Aldrich’s classroom, updated monthly by the students, in hopes of increasing college awareness. STEM club also plans on touring nearby college campuses to alert students of their immediate options.

Tyler O’Brien, a member of STEM club, will be affected by STEM club himself. He says, “It gives me an opportunity to explore new concepts in science and math, technology and engineering, which gives me a better idea of the type of careers available to me.”

Aldrich said, “The main goal is to increase awareness—in careers and college readiness. And, we want to provide students with opportunities to explore through field trips and independent research projects.”

Lind-Ritzville STEM club will be participating in Spokane’s second annual STEMposium this spring, a science fair at WSU Riverpoint campus where students present their research projects for an audience with opportunities for scholarship money.

With STEMposium and other projects, students are given the opportunity to explore their interests. TyAnn Tellefson, a member of the inaugural STEM club, wants to pursue an education in animal science, saying, “I enjoy studying about them. I want to be a vet, hopefully.”

Morgan Shields, another STEM club member, is also going to pursue a STEM career. “Engineering!” she says. “I’m excited for any thing that we get to do with engineering.”

STEM club has plans to spread awareness not only to LRHS, but possibly younger students as well. Aldrich continues, “I also would eventually like to have a goal to do some outreach in the grade school. I’d like kids to take interest in increasing interest.”

In its first year, STEM club and LRHS staff are feeling optimistic about the future. “I’m looking forward to hearing what the kids’ interests are in science, or technology, or engineering,” Aldrich says.

Ritzville Grade School and LRHS Principal Teresa Laher adds to the enthusiasm: “I am really excited about the STEM club. In its first year - and years to come- I see it as an opportunity to raise awareness of what STEM is and the opportunities that can be available to someone in the future in this area. Many students aren’t aware of what STEM is and what careers can be made available to them through these areas.”

STEM club will be holding meetings often to determine their next project. Discovery and scholarship is certainly going to be a part of the 2014-2015 school year at Lind-Ritzville High School!