Fifteen high school students won college scholarships and another 50 shared in grants for their schools at the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company’s 16th Annual STEM Career Day event. The scholarships and grants totaled more than $40,000.
The company welcomed more than 1,556 students, accompanied by parents and teachers to The University of Akron for the day-long event on April 18. In addition to exploring the campus, students interacted with representatives from more than 50 local organizations, who hosted hands-on STEM-based activities throughout the day.
STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and math.
“It is important that we encourage our young people to pursue careers in science and technology,” Joe Zekoski, chief technical officer, said. “That’s the reason why 300 Goodyear volunteers – most of them associates at our Innovation Center in Akron – work so hard to plan this event. Looking at the creativity demonstrated by so many of the students, I am confident they have bright careers ahead of them.”
One of the hands-on activities was a zombie apocalypse-themed challenge, requiring use of engineering acumen to design and build a mechanical system. The system students built allowed them to pick up “supplies” while remaining out of reach of the “undead.”
Goodyear also issued a challenge to students in grades six through 12 to try their hand at designing a Rube Goldberg machine, utilizing science, technology, engineering and math principles, to fill a Goodyear blimp. The challenge offered up to $4,000 to the high school group that produced the most innovative concept.
First place winners, Catalyst Homeschool Academy and Black River High School, had their machines on-site for the event and had the opportunity to demonstrate their work to Goodyear Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Richard J. Kramer.
