VSU Hosts Science Saturday Nov. 21

VALDOSTA — The College of Arts and Sciences and Department of Physics, Astronomy, and Geosciences at Valdosta State University will present Science Saturday: Above, Below, and Around the World from 9 a.m. to noon on Nov. 21 in Nevins Hall.

Science Saturday: Above, Below, and Around the World is ideal for students in the middle grades. However, all ages are invited to take advantage of this fun-filled and educational opportunity, which will include such activities as digging for fossils, viewing a wonders of the Autumn sky planetarium show, learning world geography trivia, discovering shocking physics and mechanics marvels, and more.  

Science Saturday is supported by VSU’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Initiative and is part of an ongoing effort to inspire the next generation to want to learn more about these areas. Faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences understand that the nation’s future economic prosperity is closely linked with student success in the STEM fields. 

According to the United States Department of Education, only 16 percent of American high school seniors are proficient in mathematics and interested in a STEM career. In November 2009 President Barack Obama launched Educate to Innovate, an initiative designed “to move American students from the middle to the top of the pack in science and math achievement over the next decade,” according to a White House press release. He also called on the nation to develop, recruit, and retain 100,000 STEM teachers over the next 10 years and asked colleges and universities to graduate an additional one million students with STEM majors.   

Science Saturday activities are free of charge and open to the public.

The next Science Saturday will be held on March 5 and involves activities developed by the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science.

Contact the College of Arts and Sciences at (229) 333-5699; Dr. Donald M. Thieme, assistant professor in the Department of Physics, Astronomy, and Geosciences, at (229) 333-5752 or dmthieme@valdosta.edu; Dr. Robert L. Gannon, head of the Department of Biology, at (229) 333-5759 or rlgannon@valdosta.edu to learn more.  

On the Web:

http://www.valdosta.edu/colleges/arts-sciences/

http://www.valdosta.edu/colleges/arts-sciences/stem-education/welcome.php

https://www.valdosta.edu/colleges/arts-sciences/physics-astronomy-geosciences/welcome.php

Valdosta State University’s 2013-2019 Strategic Plan represents a renewal of energy and commitment to the foundational principles for comprehensive institutions.

Implementation of the plan’s five goals, along with their accompanying objectives and strategies, supports VSU’s institutional mission and the University System of Georgia’s mission for comprehensive universities. 

The story above demonstrates VSU's commitment to meeting the following goals: 

Goal 1: Recruit, retain, and graduate a quality, diverse student population and prepare students for roles as leaders in a global society.

Goal 3: Promote student, employee, alumni, retiree, and community engagement in our mission.

Goal 4: Foster an environment of creativity and scholarship.

Visit http://www.valdosta.edu/administration/planning/strategic-plan.php to learn more.