NSU-LSMSA Makers Club: STEM Educational Modules and Quality Assur ance Ed

Abstract

Makers Clubs are a national movement which gets students exited about STEM and helps to increase the number of students interested in STEM related careers. This paper describes a STEM makers club, which combines Northwestern State University (NSU) and The Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts (LSMSA). The newly founded club (NSU LSMSA Makers Club), emphasizes innovation and hands-on experience for all participants. In addition, the club promotes building a spirit of teamwork and sharping problem-solving skills. Participants have access to the scientific facilities and a venue that allows them to develop and enhance their scientific thinking as well their scientific knowledge under proper mentorship. Different teaching modules, including engineering graphics, soldering techniques, digital electronics, energy harvesting, energy storage, and electromagnetism have been developed and applied. Additionally, quality assurance was also introduced for the first time as a STEM module. The NSU-LSMSA makers club represents a successful and a true manifestation of STEM education at high school including collaboration with higher educational institution.