Classes set to wrap for year on Friday

SOUTH POINT — The inaugural school year of the new STEM+M Early College High School comes to a close this week, and students and faculty hosted the public for a Field Day event on Saturday.

Science activities were offered to all ages, including demonstrations of a 3-D printer, hobby drones and math-related carnival games.

One of the booths set up at the event was run by Sean McBride, an associate professor in the physics department at Marshall University.

He was assisted by Ryan Vincent and Emily Sutherland.

“We’re teaching about the conservation of energy,” he said, illustrating the concept with a swinging pendulum.

Other activities at his table included a chance for attendees to build miniature motors, while an optical illusion was set up nearby.

Other activities throughout the building included the launching of paper rockets with pressurized air, the use of virtual reality goggles and tours of the school’s campus.

Founding director Jayshree Shah said the last day of classes for students is Friday, which will be preceded by an informal dance on Thursday.

The school, located on Solida Road, offers education in science, technology, engineering, math and medical fields and is the and is the newest public school in Lawrence County. Classes began in August and registration is under way for students interested in attending for the next school year, which begins Aug. 12.

Shah said a one-week summer camp will offered while classes are out, for grades six and up, from June 25-29.

The week will teach students about chemistry, through hands on experiments in the school’s labs.

Offered by West Virginia Science Adventures, the cost of the camp is $270, though scholarships are available.

For more information and to register, visit www.wvscienceadventures.org.