The Louisiana Regents Region 6 LaSTEM Center (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics), at NSU’s Alexandria campus at England Airpark, hosted their annual “Find the Recipe for Rural STEM” at the Megashelter south of Alexandria Friday. February 8.

The event was attended by over 1,400 students from schools throughout central Louisiana including Winn Parish. The youngsters got to see displays, demonstrations and try hands-on educational activities from over 27 agencies, colleges, and firms.

The annual event is one of many initiatives sponsored by the LaSTEM centers to spark an interest in the sciences, math, and engineering among the state’s young minds. The day was anything but dull as the youngsters listened to their heartbeats, saw a penny get a coating of shiny metal using electricity, and looked through microscopes among many other activities. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries had a popular exhibit featuring two baby alligators.

The scene showed that faculty, industry leaders and college students have an obvious passion for what they do, sharing that knowledge and passion with the area’s young people.