Science and Technology Activity Resource Seminars (STARS)

Undergraduate » K-12 Outreach » Science and Technology Activity Resource Seminars (STARS)

Science and Technology Activity Resource Seminars (STARS)

What is the STARS Program?

STARS is a special field trip experience at Santa Clara University. By introducing fifth and sixth graders to science and engineering topics, we hope they will become interested enough to take college preparatory work in high school.

The visit will be fun-filled, fast-paced, and filled with hands-on opportunities to learn and explore. The program is operated by faculty and students of the School of Engineering at Santa Clara University, with funding from the Carl Gellert Foundation.

Exploration topics in the STARS experience can include:

Microelectronics
Strength of Materials
Experimental Vehicles
Computers and Graphics
The Environment

Demonstrations and explanations will be structured specifically for fifth and sixth graders.

Who is eligible to participate in STARS?

STARS is specifically designed for fifth and sixth graders from local schools. Preference will be given to schools enrolling significant numbers of students from groups historically underrepresented in science and engineering fields. This includes Latinos, African-Americans, and Native-Americans.

If you have a fifth or sixth grade class that has a significant number of students fitting this description, you should consider applying for a STARS tour.

What is the format?

Up to thirty-six students and their adult leaders are transported by bus to the Santa Clara University campus with arrival at 10:30 a.m. The STARS tour lasts approximately 1 1/2 hours.

An informal pizza lunch will be provided to all participants at the close of the tour, and the bus will return the students and their adult leaders to their school following lunch.

What does it cost?

Due to special grants, Santa Clara University is pleased to offer this special experience at no cost to schools selected to participate. Schools are reimbursed for the cost of district buses.