Students from the College of Engineering and Science at Louisiana Tech University will run a booth at the Ruston Farmers’ Market 2015 to showcase “Sensational STEMulations,” a project to will promote more diverse participation in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields. The project, spearheaded by the Engineering and Science Association (ESA) at Louisiana Tech, will provide hands-on activities for children between the ages of 4 and 12. Interdisciplinary organizations from within the College of Engineering and Science will design experiments geared toward encouraging participation from underrepresented minorities as well as traditional participants in STEM fields. Sponsors include Louisiana Tech’s College of Engineering and Science, College of Education, the Office of Women in Science and Engineering (OWISE), Women Influencing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (WiSTEM), and SciTEC. Luke Villermin, ESA president and mechanical engineering major, says that he hopes that the project will encourage children of from all demographics to pursue engineering or science in the future. “By bringing hands-on science experiments directly to the community via the Ruston Farmers’ Market, we hope to spark a scientific curiosity in the minds of all children,” Villermin said. Ethan Sullivan, ESA social chair and nanosystems engineering major, says that said that he hopes that the project will encourage future engineers and scientists to pursue their passions in spite of the stereotypes associated with the fields. “ESA is excited to partner with the Colleges of Engineering and Science, and Education, SciTEC, OWISE, and WiSTEM to put on these fun, educational activities for young students. Our ultimate goal is to help foster children’s interest in STEM before they become discouraged by gender and racial stereotypes,” Sullivan said. “We appreciate the funding provided by the College of Engineering and Science, and we would like to thank the Ruston community for their constant support of our university.” The booth will be open from 8 a.m. until noon each Saturday from October 3 through November 14 at the Ruston Market space in the public parking lot on Monroe Street. Written by Brandy McKnight – mcknight@latech.edu