STAFF REPORTS
Know a youngster interested in science and technology? Make a visit to the New York Power Authority’s free STEAM Ahead Career Fair Saturday, May 13 and learn about glowing rocks, buried artifacts, fingerprinting, drone pilots, computer programming and news broadcasting – all at the Niagara Power Vista.
The event, scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., will give youngsters a glimpse of careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) through fun, hands-on activities, demonstrations and presentations. WNY STEM Hub, WNY Career Pathway Alliance and Liberty Partnership Niagara County will co-sponsor the event with the New York Power Authority (NYPA).
Youngsters will have a choice of activities:
- See rocks glow at the Geology Touch Station. Geologist Dino Zack will discuss the fluorescent rock and mineral specimens from New York State as well as world-known locations. The hands-on interactive activity will feature a display demonstrating many types of luminescence.
- Dig for artifacts at an archeology exhibit. Learn what it takes to be an archeologist and look for artifacts in a demonstrative dig with Dr. Douglas J. Perrelli, director, Archaeological Survey, at the University at Buffalo.
- Be a TV star! Step into NYPA’s mini-TV exhibit and learn what it takes to work behind the scenes. If stepping in front of the camera is more intriguing, read a script about the new Niagara Power Vista from a teleprompter. The best segment will be selected for promotional use (proper parental/guardian permissions apply). Take home a DVD of your on-air debut.
- Join the trades. The construction field is a rapidly growing field. Build a bird house or race car with NYPA employees working in the trades and learn what is done day-to-day in this challenging industry. Visit the University Heights Art Association to add the decorative finishing touches.
- Learn investigative techniques. Take a fingerprint sample with a crime scene investigator and forensic lab chemist from the Niagara County Sheriff’s Department.
- Talk with drone pilots. Representatives from the Niagara Falls Air Reserve station will give a glimpse of how they set up communications in remote areas.
- Take a look at Thimble.io kits. See how young people and adults learn about computer programming.
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See what’s cooking. Taste samples from the vocational culinary kitchen of the YWCA of Niagara. Pastry Chef Rachel Spade will talk about what math skills are needed to create distinctive cuisine.The Lockport High School Robotics Team will demonstrate their robot throughout the day and introduce a viewing of “Underwater Dreams,” a documentary about undocumented high school students living in poverty who built an underwater robot for a competition and beat a team from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.Additional exhibitors include Hohl Industrial Services, Girl Scouts of Western New York, Cradle Beach, DiscoverE Future City Competition-Western New York, University at Buffalo’s Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering Department, and more.Free rides are available on the Discover Niagara Shuttle to and from all stops along its route. For more information on the shuttle, visit www.discoverniagarashuttle.org
Visitors are also encouraged to explore the newly renovated Niagara Power Vista – an exciting hands-on science playground for inquisitive minds of all ages with more than 50 state-of-the-art interactive exhibits, many focusing on STEAM.
Families are invited to stop by Niagara Power Vista at the Niagara Power Project, 5777 Lewiston Road, Lewiston. Large groups or classes should call ahead to make arrangements at (716) 286-6652.
