CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The UNC Charlotte College of Engineering and Discovery Place Science partnered to give children and adults an opportunity to participate in activities related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics on Saturday.

• UNCC College of Engineering took over Discovery Place to promote STEM
• The event takes place during National Engineers Week
• This is the event's third year

UNC Charlotte’s Faculty Associate with Civil and Environmental Engineering Linda Hargrove said the takeover at Discovery Place during National Engineers Week aims to promote STEM and develop interest in those fields.

 “I think it’s important they see themselves as a scientist, an engineer, a mathematician, doctor... from an early age, because then they take ownership of it,” Hargrove said.

She added that she hopes children enjoyed the activities, which included 3D printing and robotics.

“That STEM is fun, that engineering is fun. It’s something they can see themselves doing,” Hargrove said.

Renee McKinnon, who brought her two sons to the event, said they had fun participating in the hands-on activities.

“The event makes a lot of connections between the engineering concepts that children are sometimes learning in school and then to have the opportunity in a highly engaging experience with hands on activities. It’s wonderful,” McKinnon said.

McKinnon said her children, who love science and math, also learned from talking to engineering students at the event.

“The college students have been actually mentoring when they didn’t realize it. They have been sharing about the decisions why they chose engineering. They’ve been sharing about what experiences they had in high school that helped them to make the decision to go into engineering,” McKinnon said.

Discovery Place Volunteer Services Director Susan Dhonau said they held this event for the first time three years ago as part of ‘Year of the Engineer.’  

After the success of the initial event, the museum decided to continue hosting the takeover for two additional years.

“We think it’s important because we focus a great deal on STEM at Discovery Place Science and we think it’s important to draw the interest of children, the youth, at an early age so that they can start thinking what they might want to do as they go to college,” Dhonau said.

The museum also offers Youth Development Programs for students.