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March 22, 2024

Students' STARward STEM Expo Experiments Simply 'Out of this World' 

20 STEM Teams competing to have their science experiment launched to the International Space Station (ISS)
from Kennedy Space Center

WHAT:
2024 STARward STEM Expo

Student teams from area schools have investigated challenges that face astronauts in space exploration, identified a problem of interest and designed an experiment that can help improve life in space. Winning projects in the design challenge will be flown to the ISS as science payload in 2024! 

Below are photos captured during previous STEM Expos.

WHEN:
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
4:00 p.m. - Student Presentations & STEM Exhibitions
5:45 p.m. - Awards Ceremony

WHERE:
Douglas Byrd High School (DBHS) - Gymnasium & Auditorium
1624 Ireland Drive
Fayetteville, NC 28304

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• The district is proud to announce the finalists who will be competing during the Expo. For a complete list of finalists by school, click here. Each team’s innovative STEM-based project will be exhibited during the Expo, and from the distinguished list of finalists, three winning student design-challenge experiments will be selected to launch to the International Space Station from Kennedy Space Center during the summer of 2024. 
  
  
• In addition to the student experiment exhibition and competition, Expo attendees will have the opportunity to interact with cutting-edge technology, STEM industry experts and former astronaut Tony Antonelli, a DBHS graduate who served in the U.S. Navy before becoming a pilot on the STS-119 and STS-132 missions to the International Space Station.
  
  
• Other distinguished guests and speakers will include DoD STEM Deputy Director Dr. Emily Kuehn, RTI International Director of Education Services Dr. Fredrica Nash, Cumberland County Board of Education Chairwoman Deanna Jones, CCS Superintendent Dr. Marvin Connelly, Jr., and WRAL-TV Reporter Gilbert Baez, Sr., who will serve as the emcee of the Expo.
  
  
• The STARward STEM Expo is the culminating event of the STARward STEM Design Challenge that will include student presentations of project-based learning (PBL) work, demonstrations by STEM industry experts and the announcement of the winning student design-challenge experiments to be launched to the International Space Station later this year. The event is open to students, families, educators, and other supporters of STEM education in the Cumberland County region.

Interested in covering this event? If so, email mediarequest@ccs.k12.nc.us by Monday, March 25 at noon.

No student or employee in the Cumberland County Schools shall, on the basis of age, sex, race, religion, national origin, marital status, or handicapping condition, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity. This document is available in alternative format by contacting the Communications and Community Engagement Department of the Cumberland County Schools at 910-678-2303.