Bemidji State University Shares the Future with Middle School Students

Bemidji State University hosted more than 200 middle school science students from the Bemidji area for the 25th annual Share the Future in Science and Technology Conference on Dec. 12. Registration was free but limited to the first 250 students who registered.

This year, the conference was divided into two sessions. Students were assigned presentations on a first-come, first-served basis in the order that registration was received.

The day began at 9:00 a.m. in Hagg-Sauer Hall at Bemidji State University. Keynote speaker Sarah Komperud, planetarium programs coordinator in the Bell Museum at the University of Minnesota – St. Paul, presented her research exploring our galaxy and the space missions that are pushing the boundaries of what is known in astronomy.

BSU hosts the conference in partnership with the Minnesota Space Grant Consortium and the American Chemical Society, Red River Valley Section.

Program of Events

  • 9:00 – 9:30 a.m. – Registration and trivia
  • 9:40 – 9:45 a.m. – Welcome
  • 9:45 – 10:15 a.m. – Keynote – “No Limits!” by Sarah Komperud, planetarium programs coordinator, Bell Museum, University of Minnesota
  • 10:25 – 11:05 a.m. – Session I
  • 11:15 – 11:55 a.m. – Session II
  • 12:00 – 12:20 p.m. – Lunch and door prizes, Lower Hobson Union
  • 12:35 – 1:55 p.m. – Hands-on science activities, Sattgast Hall
  • 2:00 p.m. – Optional ice cream and tour of BSU Campus, Lower Hobson Union

Concurrent Session topics

  • “StarLab,” Angie Morales and Annie Butler Ricks, Headwaters Science Center; Memorial 240.
  • “Fun in the Sun: Solar Energy 101,” Erica Bjelland, program development specialist, Peter Gebauer, AmeriCorps VISTA and Rachel Juritsch, AmeriCorps VISTA, Rural Renewable Energy Alliance (RREAL); Hagg-Sauer 107.
  • “What is a Nurse Practitioner and What Do They Do Anyway?,” Andrea Athmann-Luksic, PA, Cass Lake Indian Health Services; Hagg-Sauer 103.
  • “Fishing for a Career?,” Andrew Thompson, assistant area fisheries supervisor, Minnesota DNR; Hagg-Sauer 113.
  • “CSI: Exploring Forensic Science,” Jessica Hunt, forensic laboratory technician, Elizabeth Wilson, forensic scientist, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Bemidji Regional Office; Hagg-Sauer 112.
  • “The Nursing Minute,” Amy Weiher and BSU nursing students, Bemidji State University; Benson 115.
  • “3D Capture and Reverse Engineering,” Michael Lund, assistant professor in School of Technology, Art and Design, Bemidji State University and Derek Cramer, measurement and calibration technician, New York Mills Operation; Hagg-Sauer 228.
  • “Beginning App Development: There’s an App for that!,” Jennifer Theisen, programmer and Girls Who Code member, Bemidji State University; Hagg-Sauer 109.

Contact

Dr. Julie Larson, professor, Bemidji State Department of Chemistry; (218) 755-2920,julie.larson@bemidjistate.edu

Links


MN State logoBemidji State University, located amid the lakes and forests of northern Minnesota, occupies a wooded campus along the shore of Lake Bemidji. Enrolling more than 5,100 students, Bemidji State offers more than 80 undergraduate majors and eight graduate degrees encompassing arts, sciences and select professional programs. BSU is a member of the Minnesota State system of colleges and universities and has a faculty and staff of more than 550. The university’s Shared Fundamental Values include environmental stewardship, civic engagement and international and multicultural understanding. For more, visit bemidjistate.edu or find us at BemidjiState on most of your favorite social media networks.

2019-B-078

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