UAA STEM Talks: New virtual program showcases research by UAA experts

During a time when in-person classes and social gatherings have transitioned to virtual platforms, UAA STEM Talks was no exception when it came to restructuring a program to meet COVID-19 guidelines and protocols. In fact, UAA STEM Talks was created in lieu of UAA STEM Day, a public, social event that took place every year for those in the community interested in science, technology, engineering and math.

“For the last four years we have held UAA STEM Day,” said Erin Hicks, UAA associate professor of physics and astronomy. “With not being able to hold our annual event safely this year due to the pandemic, we were looking for a new way to engage with our community. It is our hope that with the UAA STEM Talks series we will continue to inspire interest in STEM fields and to highlight the wide variety of fascinating research UAA faculty and students are engaged in.”  

This program, new this spring, features presentations and research by UAA experts — some will cover timely and relevant themes, such as testing for COVID-19 in wastewater. The series continues through May, and upcoming lectures include topics in engineering and physics and astronomy. Viewers can participate via Facebook Live or Zoom and are encouraged to ask questions during the following Q&A. 

Although the program was initially designed for K-12 students, Hicks says that while there are many STEM resources available nowadays, there is also value for everyone in this particular structure.

“I think the value of attending the talks is that everyone has the opportunity to ask their questions,” Hicks said. “There is no better way to engage in STEM than to ask questions, and we have our local UAA experts on hand to answer them.”

The next STEM Talk is on Wednesday, March 17 at 6 p.m. on "The Light Side and the Dark Side of the Universe" with Dr. Erin Hicks and Dr. Nate Hicks in UAA's Department of Physics and Astronomy.