Integral to the Nevada National Security Sites (NNSS) community outreach program is STEM education, highlighted by the STEM Saturday series. This partnership between the NNSS, Atomic Museum and Clark County School District Career and Technical Education brings a monthly presentation from NNSS STEM professionals to members of the community during the academic year.
The 2024-2025 season boasted 588 attendees and topics spanning a sphere of STEM opportunities: thermal imaging, laser interferometry and fiber optics in September; drones and autonomous systems in October; fire and rescue operations in November; meteorology in January; geology and seismology in February; occupational medicine in March; and the Nevada Space Proving Grounds in April.
Having reached thousands of members of the community since its inception, STEM Saturdays also offer a joint platform with other STEM-based organizations. During the April 5 event, members of the Nevada Flight Crew, part of the Nevada Afterschool Network, joined the presentation to share how STEM access has been critical in shaping their academic and career aspirations in addition to the value in having the opportunity to connect with real-world STEM leaders within the community. Dozens of students from the After-School All-Stars program of the greater Las Vegas area, which provides at-risk youth with access to educational programming, were also in attendance.
“STEM Saturdays have become a fixture for how local youth connect to STEM and the NNSS,” said NNSS Outreach Coordinator Brianna Majdanac. “It’s especially exciting to watch students and families alike draw connections between STEM principles in the classroom and the exciting career path it can lead to — right here in Nevada! That direct engagement with an NNSS mathematician, scientist, doctor, firefighter or any of our STEM professionals is invaluable.”
STEM excellence is back on public display for the Las Vegas Science & Technology Festival Giant Expo, sponsored by the NNSS. The Saturday, May 3, event features one-of-a-kind STEM demonstrations with NNSS personnel and STEM exhibitors from across Southern Nevada. Admission is free. RSVP here!