VIDEO: Youth STEM Research Workshop – An innovative experience for young people at America House Chisinau

America House Chisinau hosted an exciting event dedicated to young science enthusiasts, the Youth STEM Research workshop. For four days, participants had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with scientific research methods, working side-by-side with experts Anne White and Rob Condon in interactive activities designed to develop their STEM skills.

During the workshop, young people carried out hands-on experiments exploring important topics such as water quality, CO2 emissions and the impact of climate change. The atmosphere in the lab was full of excitement and curiosity, with each participant dedicated to discovering innovative solutions to global problems.

During the workshop, participants had the opportunity to investigate the soil chemistry of Chisinau and nearby areas, discovering a wide range of nutrients and pollutants. They also measured ozone levels in different areas, finding variations near gas stations. Using Raspberry Pi technology, the youngsters analyzed the moisture levels in soil samples and compared this data with that of Martian soil, with the aim of exploring the chemical differences between them.

Explaining the importance of these topics for young people, the trainer said, “Agriculture is an essential part of Moldova’s economy. Understanding soil composition and the factors that influence it is crucial for growing healthy crops. Also, the exploration of Martian soil is relevant given advances in space travel.” -Says Anne White, Development Specialist at the Young Scientist Academy of North Carolina

Anne also emphasized the impact of the workshop on participants, “This workshop empowers young people by giving them the opportunity to choose their own projects and explore environmental issues. It not only actively engages them in the learning process, but helps them communicate more effectively with society.”

Asked what challenges they faced, the young people told us about the nerves in the working group and that they were not sure which theme to base their work on from the variety of interesting activities. However, they enjoyed the experience they gained from the workshop:

“I even liked the themes for the projects we could develop.” says participant Evelina.

“What I liked most about this workshop was that we had the opportunity to work with different mechanisms, such as the CO2 machine, different temperature and humidity sensors.” says Octavian, participant.

“The most enjoyable thing was probably discovering new kids, who had the same interests towards STEM as me.” says Alexandra, participant.

The Youth STEM Research workshop was a valuable experience, providing not only scientific knowledge, but also the inspiration to contribute to problem solving. Through education and exploration, they had the opportunity to discover the beauty and importance of science in everyday life. America House Chișinău aims to support young people in developing their skills in science, technology, engineering and math, preparing them for the challenges of the future.