HOLLY POND — Holly Pond High School students were able to get an up close experience with math and science career options on Friday. 

UAH students who work for the school’s Systems Management and Production Center were on campus to let the high school students learn more about UAH’s science, technology, engineering and mathematics education programs.

At different demonstration areas in the school’s gym, students were able to fly unmanned aerial vehicles, wear a VR headset and see weather balloons and 3D printers in action, allowing them to get a first-hand look at some of the things they could be doing if they choose to go into a STEM field after graduation. 

SMAP research scientist Norven Goddard said employees travel to different high schools around North Alabama to let students learn more about the many education and career options that are in the STEM fields.

A lot of the time, when high school students think of UAH and engineering, they only think of civil engineering, but there is a lot more that the school offers, Goddard said.

“There’s something here for all of you.” 

Many students say they don’t like science and math classes, but getting to see a 3D printer in action or fly a UAV makes them realize that there’s more to those fields than just numbers in a classroom, Goddard said. 

“The thing we advocate is hands-on,” he said. 

Holly Pond senior Brett Henderson said he was very impressed with the different demonstrations that students were able to take part in. 

“It’s really cool,” he said. “This is incredible.”

Henderson said he already has plans after he graduates high school, but can see the appeal in STEM fields after seeing Friday’s display. 

With more jobs gravitating towards computers and technology, getting a close-up look at some of the different education and career paths in those fields would likely be very helpful to anyone who was considering their options, he said. 

“If you don’t know what you want to do, this is a great place to look,” Henderson said.

Holly Pond Counselor Karen Rowell said she organized the visit from the SMAP Center to try to promote STEM fields and get students more involved in math and science.  

She said every student from 9th to 12th grade was able to visit the demonstration, and the reaction from those students had been great. 

Students like to hold things in their own hands, and programs like this let them hold real-life examples of a career that can come from a math or science education, Rowell said. 

“It brings career information to them in real life,” she said.