The LA Regents Region 6 LaSTEM Center, hosted by NSU’s Alexandria campus at England Airpark, was joined by their fellow centers in Regions 3 and 8 in hosting the 2024 “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. The youngsters got to see displays, demonstrations and try hands-on educational activities from over 27 agencies, colleges, and firms.

The annual event is just one of many initiatives sponsored by the LaSTEM centers to spark an interest in the sciences, math, and engineering among our state’s young minds. Representatives from LSUA and Louisiana Christian University were joined by colleagues from other colleges, government, and industry in presenting fun educational activities. From trying out flight simulators to learning about body systems, the students got to see their world in a new light.

Much of LaSTEM’s mission is to show our state’s young people possibilities they may not have realized. The school’s representatives’ love of their subjects was obvious. They were superb ambassadors for their universities and subject areas.

The Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts likewise brought a table of sharp young people. The LSMSA students showed their young visitors a row of microscopes with everything from bread mold to insect legs to see under magnification.

Lunch was a savory GUMBO (Geographically United for Making Better Opportunities) in conjunction with the day’s theme) served by Marksville’s Big John’s Meats.

It was a joy to watch faculty, industry leaders and college students that have an obvious passion for what they do share that knowledge and passion with our area’s young people.