Rutgers University Talking Science on Saturdays

Rutgerscience Saturdays hosts its second event in the series in which middle school youths will work with university scientists in hands-on lessons and demonstrations that involve exploring the fundamentals of geology, how we apply our knowledge of geology to drill for oil, and the paleontological history of the Earth and the human species.

Rutgers 4-H Department of Youth Development initiated the Saturday events to spur middle school youths’ interest in science, technology, engineering and math and expose them to the roots and global reach of Rutgers cutting edge science.

Saturday, April 10 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The Rutgerscience Saturdays series includes an event on May 15, 2010 (microbiology theme) and June 5, 2010 (entomology theme).

Rutgers University Geology Museum on the Rutgers Old Queens Campus, 85 Somerset Street, New Brunswick, NJ.

In 2006, the National Academies issued an alarming report, Rising Above the Gathering Storm, calling for dramatic improvement in K-12 science and technology education to increase our global competitiveness in science, technology, engineering, and medicine (STEM). The report identifies the U.S. maintaining leadership in science and technology as critical to securing our future social and economic wellbeing, but acknowledges several indicators that suggest we are losing ground. A 2007 report from the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges identifies STEM for youth as a growth area. National 4-H unveiled SET as a critical part of its mandate and Rutgers Cooperative Extension is poised to play a vital role in creating interest and competency in these areas.