Collaboration Fuels Success at Brandywine Youth STEAM Initiative

Students Explore STEAM Careers at Brandywine’s Dynamic Event

To spark innovation and encourage interest in STEAM disciplines, the Brandywine LaunchBox hosted its Youth Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) and Startup Day on March 12. The event attracted over 130 high school students from eight local schools, including Chester Charter Scholars Academy, Furness High School, Kennett High School, The Pennsylvania Leadership Charter School, Paul Robeson High School, Springfield High School, Upper Darby High School, and Valley Forge Military Academy. Throughout the day, students participated in interactive sessions spanning topics such as physics, entrepreneurship, and robotics, fostering an atmosphere of hands-on learning and intellectual curiosity.

Tony Mattei, director of entrepreneurship and digital marketing at Brandywine, expressed enthusiasm for the strong turnout and praised the level of student engagement. He highlighted the inspiring energy on campus and acknowledged the university’s pivotal role in supporting the program, which empowers students to shape their paths toward success. The event was a collaborative effort involving Mattei, six Brandywine faculty members, and CTDI, a global engineering company. Faculty-led workshops provided students with diverse, practical learning experiences. Lecturer Megann Hedgecock conducted a prototyping session, while Assistant Teaching Professor Shruti Shrestha led an exploration of the speed of sound.

Assistant Teaching Professor Apoorva Mate introduced students to mathematics tiling, and Lecturer Nannette D’Imperio guided them through coding activities using bolt robots. Additionally, Science Lab Coordinator Tracy Lea-Dorsey hosted a biochemistry session, and Associate Teaching Professor Samantha Pezzimenti facilitated an engaging workshop on bubble surface area.

Complementing these sessions, CTDI presented an engineering workshop that utilized Arduino code to program motors and LEDs, teaching students how to perform functions such as blinking lights and pulsing motors. This broad range of activities allowed participants to connect theoretical knowledge with real-world applications, reinforcing the importance of STEAM-related fields. By combining interactive education with mentorship, the event provided students with meaningful insights into critical disciplines. It demonstrated the value of collaborative efforts in nurturing future innovators and concluded with the aspiration that such initiatives would inspire a lifelong passion for discovery and learning.

Editor's Note:

The Brandywine LaunchBox’s Youth STEAM and Startup Day stands as a beacon of innovation, empowering high school students to explore diverse fields through hands-on learning and expert guidance. By uniting educators, industry professionals, and a supportive academic community, this event underscores the potential of collaborative efforts in shaping the future of education and innovation. Such initiatives go beyond merely teaching concepts—they inspire young minds to think critically, innovate boldly, and envision a brighter future.

Skoobuzz believes that as STEAM fields continue to drive global progress, fostering curiosity and creativity among the next generation is not just an investment in their success but a commitment to the world’s continued advancement.