The 2024 STEM Outreach Expo brought members of the local community to Loyola Marymount University’s Hannon Courtyard to ignite their interest in science and engineering with an event catered to K-12 students as well as members of underrepresented communities.
“I hope attendees find inspiration and become interested in engineering, science, and technology at the expo, where they have one-on-one interactions with exhibitors who are engineers and staff members working on some of the latest technological innovations happening in Southern California,” said Gustavo Vejarano, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering, one of the events main organizers.
The expo consisted of exhibitor tables and tours of LMU’s Biology, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Health and Human Sciences, and Physics labs.
“The expo is an opportunity to bring together industry experts, K-12, and college students. We had 115 attendees this year,” said Vejarano. “The exhibitors coordinated a number of fun activities and displays, including flying discs, a replica of the Mars rover, and paper-rocket launches to name a few.”
There was a presentation titled “Perseverance Mars Rover: Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman and Luminescence for Organics and Chemicals” and a rocket launch countdown demonstration. The expo closed with a STEM-based raffle.
Fred Lawler, one of the event’s main organizers and a member of the International Council on Systems Engineering, founded the event 11 years ago as the Mars Expo. In collaboration with LMU Frank R. Seaver College of Science and Engineering and with the help of Vejarano, the event has grown in size and reach.
Lawler praised the day’s nice weather and said he is always optimistic for the future of the STEM Outreach Expo, and hopes to expand as the partnership with LMU continues.
Local aerospace and defense company Northrop Grumman said their company got involved to inspire students to pursue their interests in STEM. Space Systems Command with the United States Space Force said they wanted to give K-12 students more STEM opportunities and hoped to inspire students to have an interest in learning about STEM.
Many exhibitors wanted to provide support for unrepresented groups in STEM careers and to demonstrate that anyone can be in STEM. Representing some of those groups were The National Society of Black Engineers, The Society of Women Engineers, and The Society of Hispanic and Professional Engineers. These organizations support their members through mentorship programs and providing help with jobs.
Other exhibitors included: LMU Career and Professional Development, Columbia Memorial Space Center, Drones4Kids, International Council on Systems Engineering – Los Angeles Section, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Mount Wilson Observatory, Raytheon and Southern California Rockets Association. This event was made possible thanks to support by LMU External Relations and their team.
By Isa Pedersen, First-Year International Relations Major
