Category: Academics

March 11 SC4 STEM Fest to feature 100+ hands-on experiences

>>> Register here

St. Clair County Community College (SC4) is pleased to announce its SC4 STEM Fest on Saturday, March 11, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on its Port Huron campus. The event—which is free and open to the public thanks to generous donations and grants—aims to spark a sense of wonder and features more than 100 hands-on, interactive science, technology, engineering and mathematics exhibits by SC4, Michigan Technological University’s Mind Trekkers, the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum and the Leslie Science & Nature Center.

“We want to inspire the next generation of leaders and innovators in STEM so that they can help solve challenges and have greater career opportunities,” said Dr. Deborah A. Snyder, president of SC4. “We’re proud to collaborate with Michigan Tech’s Mind Trekkers, the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum and the Leslie Science & Nature Center to bring this incredible event to Southeast Michigan. It will have a positive impact on our region, now and in the future.”

Experiences and activities will take place throughout SC4’s Fieldhouse and Clara E. Mackenzie Building / Experience Center, which includes the Challenger Learning Center at SC4, the Dr. Bassam H. Nasr Natural Science Museum, a live sturgeon exhibit, virtual reality experience, health activities, exploration stations, and bird and mineral galleries.

The event’s more than 100 activities and exhibits will have learners exploring a wide array of STEM topics. Some hands-on highlights for the event include a Challenger Mini-Mission: An Interactive Challenger Learning Center Tour, virtual reality simulations, virtual anatomy dissection, rocket launches, robotics technology, live animal exhibits and wildlife presentations, awe-inspiring experiments using liquid nitrogen—and many more!

Mind Trekkers is a flagship program of Michigan Technological University’s Center for Educational Outreach. Powered by undergraduate and graduate student guides, Mind Trekkers travels across the country to deliver high-energy, hands-on, STEM demonstrations to learners of all ages, inspiring them to pursue post-secondary education.

“Mind Trekkers convenes communities in a shared mission to spark curiosity,” said Cassy Tefft de Muñoz, executive director of enrollment initiatives at Michigan Technological University. “We are thrilled to partner with SC4 to bring the program to Port Huron and amplify the strong STEM ecosystem already present in the region. The SC4 STEM Fest is just one way that SC4 and Michigan Tech are working together to create educational opportunities for youth to access future college and career pathways.”

Added Susan Westhoff, chief operating officer for the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum and Leslie Science & Nature Center, “We know the power of hands-on learning to inspire and open the door of possibility for everyone, young and old alike. Every one of us is a scientist, because we all hold the power of curiosity, of wanting to understand ‘why’ and ‘how.’ Come out to this fantastic day of exploration, where you are encouraged to ask, to discover, and to have fun!”

Register for the SC4 STEM Fest at sc4.edu/stem-fest/stem-fest-registration/. Please direct questions to SC4 at (810) 989-5789 or experiencecenter@sc4.edu.

SC4 STEM Fest

Learn about Rad Tech program at Jan. 18 and 19 sessions

If you’ve ever thought about starting a rewarding career in health care, SC4’s renowned health sciences programs provide the knowledge and skills you need to succeed. Attending an info session is the first step for anyone interested in earning a health sciences degree from SC4.

Radiologic Technology — Associate Degree Program

The Radiologic Technology degree prepares you to become a radiologic technologist by combining imaging technology with patient care skills to create quality radiography images. The program includes practical experiences in hospitals and imaging centers. Students will be eligible to take the national registry exam administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist.

Join us for a virtual information session from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18, or 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19. Click here for the link to join a session (sessions linked to under “Program Details” tab), learn more about the program and find additional information session dates. The application deadline for this program is Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023.

SC4 offers a number of other in-demand degree and certificate programs in health sciences including:

  • Allied Health
  • Associate Degree Nursing
  • Associate Degree Nursing transition program
  • Practical Nursing
  • Respiratory Therapy
  • Therapeutic Massage

For more information about health sciences programs, visit sc4.edu/health.

Challenger Learning Center at SC4 announces Jan. 21 and Feb. 18 public mission dates

>>> Register here – There are still spots available for the Feb. 18 mission. Reserve your seat today!

Challenger Learning Center at St. Clair County Community College (SC4) will launch visitors to the moon with Mission: Lunar Quest at 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 21, and Saturday, Feb. 18. The mission dates are open to the public and limited to the first 34 registrants. Seats on the mission are $25 per person and those ages 10-99+ are welcome!

Challenger Learning Center at SC4 is the only Center of its kind in Michigan and one of 40 Challenger Learning Centers nationwide and around the world. It is a fully immersive, space-themed experience aimed at deepening understanding and appreciation of STEM careers and topics and building critical 21st-century skills. It offers unique learning and team-building opportunities for students, educators, corporations and community residents.

“We’ve had great feedback and interest in more public mission dates,” said Kristin Copenhaver, vice president of marketing and special projects. “We look forward to welcoming more families, friends, individuals and teammates to the Challenger Learning Center at SC4 to see what the excitement is all about!”

Mission participants will launch to the moon in search of a long-term human habitat, command and assist in Mission Control, or board the Spacecraft as an astronaut, serving on teams like biology, geology, weather, robotics, life support and more. They will help deploy a Lunar Exploration Rover to investigate areas of the lunar surface and make critical decisions to turn a potential catastrophe into NASA’s finest hour.

Challenger Center was founded in 1986 in the aftermath of the Challenger shuttle tragedy. The families of the crew came together and created Challenger Center to carry on the spirit of their loved ones and continue the Challenger crew’s educational mission. Challenger Center, with its network of Challenger Learning Centers and digital programs, has reached more than 5.5 million students and learners worldwide.

Register for the Jan. 21 and Feb. 18 missions at stclair.nbsstore.net/community-missions. Mission: Lunar Quest is open to learners in 5th grade and beyond. Support may be available. Contact us with inquiries and questions at experiencecenter@sc4.edu or (810) 989-5789.

To schedule a full group mission at another time, visit challenger.sc4.edu/schedule-a-visit/.

SC4 to host Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration Jan. 16

The St. Clair County Community College Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the SC4 Global Diversity Advisory Council will present the 21st annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration at 6 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, in the SC4’s Fine Arts Theatre.

The theme of this year’s event is “Daring to Dream: The Radical Imagination of a New Generation.”

The event, which also will be live-streamed at sc4.edu/dei-live, will feature a celebration of Dr. King’s legacy with a diverse variety of speakers, musicians and other performances.

Register for the event online or send an email for more information to dei@sc4.edu.