Media Advisory: Watch high school students turn water into fire on Saturday

BUFFALO, N.Y. – The University at Buffalo on Saturday will host BEAM TREK, a competition that tests the knowledge of local high school students and offers them a chance to win scholarships.

BEAM TREK will feature 12 teams, comprised of three to five students, who will spend the day racing to several locations at UB’s North Campus where science and engineering tasks await them. Students are expected to learn about solar power, how structures respond to earthquakes and other exciting fields of research.

Now in its sixth year, BEAM TREK is designed to promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education, as well as encourage participation from segments of the population such as women and minorities who are traditionally underrepresented in these fields.

BEAM stands for Buffalo-area Engineering Awareness for Minorities. Last year, close to $20,000 in scholarships were handed out.

When: BEAM TREK runs from 8 a.m. to 4: 30 p.m.

Note to media: The water and fire demonstration will occur around 4 p.m. at the Natural Science Complex. Because this is a competition, UB will not publicly issue more details. News media seeking more information should call Cory Nealon, university communications, at 716-645-4614, or email cmnealon@buffalo.edu.

Students have signed a waiver allowing their photos to be taken.

On-site contact: Don Davis, 716-359-5428.

Why: UB has a longstanding commitment to promoting STEM education. Nationwide, the effort is receiving renewed attention with President Barack Obama calling for funding increase in his proposed 2014 budget.