Rowan-Cabarrus Community College

KANNAPOLIS – Rowan-Cabarrus Community College invites the public to its eighth annual STEM Open House, where adults and children can explore interactive exhibits showcasing the college’s science, technology, engineering and mathematics programs.

The open house will be from 5 to 8 p.m. April 4 at the college’s building at the North Carolina Research Campus.

“This is one of our favorite events of the year and one of our most popular. As instructors, we love to see faces light up with the joy of discovery, and these exhibits will ignite curiosity and indulge the senses,” said Carol Scherczinger, dean of arts and sciences.

Departments across Rowan-Cabarrus will host hands-on activities designed to both teach and entertain. Participants can play X-ray football, lend their hands to create a collaborative mural, and make ice cream with liquid nitrogen. They will also be able to compete in a small house construction contest, witness the launch of a weather balloon, and find out how DNA is extracted.

“We’ll have so much to explore that the challenge will be seeing everything in three hours,” said Scherczinger. “Visitors are always surprised to learn the applications of STEM in so many areas, from fighting fires and keeping our communities safe to working on diesel engines and building houses.”

The open house is one of the many programs across the state that are part of the N.C. Science Festival in April. The festival aims to bring science to life for children and their parents.

“We welcome families with children of all ages to the North Carolina Research Campus for this engaging evening of exploration and learning,” said RCCC President Carol S. Spalding, Rowan-Cabarrus. “The earlier children can be exposed to the fascinating aspects of science, technology, engineering and math, the more likely they will go on to pursue STEM-related education and careers.”

During the open house, Rowan-Cabarrus will collect nonperishable food to be donated to its on-campus food pantry, which assists students who are experiencing food insecurity.

Area high schools have been invited to bring students to see the STEM open house exhibits the next morning on April 5.

For more information or to inquire about bringing a school group, contact Crystal Ryerson at 704-216-3806 or crystal.ryerson@rccc.edu.

The STEM Open House will be held on the North Carolina Research Campus at 399 Biotechnology Lane in Kannapolis.

For more information about Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, visit www.rccc.edu.