STEM Starters

Columbia University

Science outreach workshops hosted by graduate students

STEM = Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math

Learn about science with Columbia University STEM students and scientists! We host free events for kids and families in West Harlem.

 

STEM Starters: Spy Science Day

Join us on Saturday, Dec. 7th to solve a mystery by analyzing DNA and “blood” samples, testing fingerprints, and cracking codes using insights from crypotography!

Register here.

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Watch past seminars on Youtube

During quarantine, we switched to online content. We have these recorded STEMinars on YouTube available to everyone!

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Thank You for being here!

Thank you for engaging with us and being part of this community!

Email us at STEMstartersCU@gmail.com to get on our attendees mailing list for event updates.

The Electricity Within Us - June 15th 2024

  • Comparative neuroanatomy

  • Exploring the human sensory system

  • Neurons and brain slices under the microscope

  • Human neuroanatomy

  • C. elegans sensory mutants

Math Saves Manhattan - April 13th 2024

  • Equations and functions

  • Probabilities

  • Shapes in nature

  • Developing intuition about geometry and volumes

  • Solving the Monty Hall dilemma

  • Equations and functions

  • Distributions

  • Math saves the day!

The Earth Through Time - March 3rd 2024

  • Geological change

  • Artificial selection

  • Erosion in action

  • Alternative energy sources

  • Vegetable power!

  • Natural selection game

Vision and Light Day - December 2nd 2023

  • Color, color-blindness, and LED

  • Refraction and reflection puzzle

  • Lenses and the eye

  • Everyday objects under the microscope

Spy Science Day - November 4th 2023

  • Using morse code and book ciphers

  • Fingerprint testing with UV light

  • Decoding invisible ink Caesar ciphers

  • DNA extractions from strawberries

  • Blood typing

Biology Day - March 4th 2023

  • Fluorescent microscopy

  • Flower vasculature with color and utraviolet dyes

  • Brain anatomy and dissection

  • DNA extractions from strawberries and bananas

  • Daphnia under the microscope

Halloween Laboratory - August 22nd 2022

  • Fingerprinting station

  • Ink chromatography

  • Blood type testing

  • Fabric matching under the microscope

  • Explanation of blood types

  • Handwriting analysis

  • Graduate student volunteers

Chemistry Day - August 27th 2022

  • Colorful oxidation of salts

  • Enzymatic Reactions

  • Protein Detection with Bradford Reagent

  • Acid-base reactions and volcanic eruption

Aviation July 2022

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 Electronics Day -

February 2020

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Our Sponsors

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