On Tuesday, November 18, the Classes of 2028 and 2029 participated in the Junior Achievement STEM Summit. The event featured eight stations, each designed to highlight real-world applications of various skills organized by Junior Achievement and the Newport School District. The stations were biology, chemistry, mathematics, environmental sciences, electrics, technology, trades, and engineering. The event was held in the Newport Middle School Gym, as well as in Mrs. Bilheimer’s and Mrs. Zeigler’s rooms. 

The STEM Summit was an enjoyable experience for the participants. The STEM Summit introduced students to various job opportunities while engaging them. The stations that stood out the most were the biology station, chemistry station, the electrics station, the environmental station, and the trades station, according to various Newport freshman and sophomores.  “The JA Summit was really fun, and I really enjoyed learning about the trades,” said sophomore Kellen Shepley.

At the biology station, students engaged in diagnosing mock patients based on presented symptoms. At the chemistry station, participants poured the reactants of elephant toothpaste into latex gloves and took the finished product home. In the electrics station, students worked with volunteers to wire a circuit that comprised a buzzer, a receptacle, and a light. The environmental station required students to make a filter with only a water bottle, sand, rocks, a paper towel, and a cotton ball. The trades station had students assemble a sink by using diagrams and critical thinking skills. Ultimately, the JA Stem Summit engaged participants in thought-provoking discussions and hands-on activities.