The annual Mind Trekkers STEM event returns this month. This event takes place at San Jacinto Community College’s Central Campus from March 5th to 6th. Nearly six thousand sixth-grade students will engage in hands-on STEM demonstrations to encourage them to explore STEM education.
Mind Trekkers was founded at Michigan Technological University in 2011. The event was brought to San Jacinto Community College as a partnership to encourage young students to consider pursuing career paths in STEM. In 2015, San Jacinto Community College hosted its first Mind Trekkers event at its Central Campus.
Andrea Vasquez, who oversees this event, has says, “igniting their curiosity in STEM education and careers, is what it’s all about.”
Since the inception of Mind Trekkers, the number of attendees has grown to nearly six thousand. With such a large number of students, organizing an event of this level is challenging.
“Sometimes an experiment needs to be replaced, we need more volunteers in one area, catering menus to accommodate dietary needs, etc,” Vasquez credits the volunteers for
overcoming these challenges, “but our team is amazing at making things happen.”
Despite the challenges of running Mind Trekkers, the student impact is worth it. The impact of Mind Trekkers’ activities and experiments can be seen in the present time. Some of the
students who have attended the Mind Trekkers event go on to pursue a STEM major for their future.
“Mind Trekkers has a lasting educational impact on young students,” says Vasquez.
Many times there are full-circle moments in which current volunteers are those who attended Mind Trekkers when they were younger.
“It’s awesome to see that come full circle,” says Vasquez.
Vasquez also has a personal connection to Mind Trekkers. Although she did not lead the first Mind Trekkers event, she attended as a photographer. She recalled looking forward to
capturing the expressions of all the students at one of the largest STEM events hosted by a college.
“I had no idea at the time that I would be able to carry on the great work that goes on behind the scenes by so many people,” says Vasquez.
Vasquez’s personal experience highlights the dedication behind the scenes, some of which include sponsors. Local sponsors play a significant role in making this event possible. In
addition to providing funding, sponsors also bring in volunteers to support the event.
“They have always been our biggest supporters in ensuring we keep bringing things like Mind Trekkers to young students and our community,” says Vasquez.
Thanks to strong sponsor and volunteer support, Mind Trekkers continues to expand, looking forward to creating bigger events in the future. “The bigger, the better!” Vasquez is
looking forward to what the future holds.
“I hope Mind Trekkers continues its trajectory in expanding and adding more fun science experiments,” Vasquez said. She wants the best for this event and hopes it continues to grow. “I’m excited to see what other partnership opportunities come our way so that maybe we can make this the largest STEM event in the state,” says Vasquez.
With continued growth and support, Mind Trekkers shows no signs of slowing down. The event’s combination of hands-on experiments and community engagement will ensure it
continues inspiring the next generation in STEM.
