Brownwood Intermediate 6th graders were treated to a glimpse into many science related careers at Tuesday’s visit of the Texas Alliance for Minorities in Engineering’s (TAME) Trailblazer.

Through their 40-foot long “Trailblazer” exhibit trailer, TAME visits schools and community events helping to raise student’s awareness of and motivation to pursue careers in science and engineering, especially among minority students.  There are two TAME Trailblazers in Texas.  According to VJ Willis of TAME, the first trailer was commissioned in 1996, this second trailer in June of 2013.  This was the first time it has ever been on display in the Brownwood area.  On Monday, students at Early Elementary viewed the exhibit as well.  Willis stated that he has seen more than 30,000 students during his 2 years traveling with the program.

These exhibits are the only interactive science and engineering museums on wheels in Texas.  They are filled with five stations of hands-on activities and exhibits representing many interesting career fields, such as biotechnology, aeronautics, energy, engineering and much more in an “in-school field trip” of sorts.  TAME and its sponsors, including 3M Company, Shell, the University of Texas, Conoco Phillips, Boeing, encana, ABB, Xcel Energy and Lockheed Martin, give students a glimpse of careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Classes were brought one by one throughout the day on Tuesday, to view the trailer.  Volunteers from Brownwood Intermediate School and 3M manned and explained each station to the students.

TSTC Associate Vice President of Enrollment Management Brian Kight volunteered his time to teach students about the power of weather.  His station taught students how tornados form and how lightning travels.  Students also learned hands on just how an electric current flows using a Van de Graf generator.

Kight stated that students get excited about the exhibit and the future, motivating them to work toward STEM careers.

“This peaks their curiosity just enough to get them excited,” said Kight.

VJ Willis of TAME agreed with Kight and explained that traveling with the program has been a great experience for him as well.

“I was a classroom teacher for 12 years, but this is the most rewarding educational job I have ever had,” said Willis.  “You get to see the cream of the crop, the reason that teachers teach.  This gets kids excited, it’s great when you can hear the kids getting excited about learning, there’s nothing better.”

The TAME Trailblazer program is very relevant in today’s society as there is an ongoing shortage of STEM professionals in the workforce which not only undermines US Competitiveness in the global economy, but also is alarming in the fact that half of the country’s skilled technical workers are rapidly approaching retirement.

Pictured at top, a student tries his hand at robotic surgery.

Students use a high definition microscope used in for crime investigations.

Brian Kight shows students a tornado chamber.

Melinda Rose demonstrates solar and wind energy.

Brian Kight shows students how electric currents flow using a Van de Graf generator or “plasma ball”.

A student takes part in a movement demonstration using a gyroscope.