STEM Adventures:
Bringing K-12 Students to Research Labs and Facilities 
Rocky Point High School

October 29, 2024

Stony Brook University’s Office of Economic Development kicked off the 2024-2025 K-12 Field Trip program with a visit from Rocky Point High School. On October 29, Janece Alfredson brought 27 students and two teachers from the Math Honor Society, Math Team, and Science Honor Society. The students received guided research tours in the battery storage, combustion, and hydrogen labs before visiting the new offshore wind HVDC laboratory.

At CEWIT, the students drove the AI-powered robotic cars with Sunrise Technologies and learned about flood mitigation in the virtual reality deck.

After the tour, the students were joined by lunch speaker and sponsor, Amro Imam, Academic Programming & Partnerships Resident, SandboxAQ. Amro spoke about quantum information science, its applications, and use of mathematical disciplines. After the talk, Amro conducted an interactive digital trivia game that utilized the students’ cell phones and winners received medals. 

Feedback on the field trip included:

Students:

Yes, it was very informational. I learned about so many careers and parts of science career paths that I may want to pursue in the future!

I liked that the trip showed us how SBU students were experimenting with technology and conducting their own research to come up with solutions to modern day problems. It was fun to see what students from various areas of science were working on.

I liked seeing the variety of equipment that Stony Brook has to offer. I also learned more about chemical engineering, batteries/current, and in the end, quantum. I thought the whole concept of quantum and AI was cool.

Seeing all of the younger people doing complex experiments made me excited and hopeful for my future.

Teachers:

I thought it was great. The kids asked really great questions and seemed invested! I loved having the info/quiz time during the lunch as well. Students were relaxing but still learning/engaged.

The field trip was very informative regarding career opportunities for my students. It was well organized and engaging for my students.

The field trip was done very well and I feel that my students were engaged and learning throughout the entire day.  On the way home the students on the bus were still chatting about how good of a time they had.

For more information on K-12 Field Trips, please contact derek.oconnor@stonybrook.edu