Media Advisory: Scouts to talk to cosmonaut, visit engineering labs at STEM-themed “camporall”

BUFFALO, N.Y. — The University at Buffalo will host 800 scouts — everyone from brownies to explorers — at a “camporall” organized to promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) this weekend.

The 2017 STEM Camporall is a rare event that brings together scouts of all ages and rank from the Boy Scouts of America’s Greater Niagara Frontier Council and the Girls Scouts of Western New York.

It will feature a midway where about 50 local organizations will set up displays, and more than three dozen STEM-related activities in UB’s engineering labs. The activities, which are designed to engage scouts with fun and exciting STEM exercises, focus on clean water, outer space, the internet of things and other themes.

Highlights include:

• A dozen scouts talking live via radio to cosmonaut aboard the International Space Station. The talk is scheduled to occur at 12:08 p.m. Saturday and last for 10 minutes.
• A demonstration that shows how bottle rockets work, including launching them 100 feet into the air.
• Leaning the basics of 3-D printing and robotics.

Scouts will arrive Friday evening on UB’s North Campus, where they’ll camp out next to Lake LaSalle. Most events will occur Saturday in nearby engineering labs. More information is available here: http://bit.ly/2s14jBA.

In addition to the scouts, hundreds of volunteers — including faculty, staff and students from UB’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences — will also participate in the event.

“Studies show that the United States lags behind other countries in STEM education. The University at Buffalo is committed to reversing that trend through innovative outreach efforts such as the 2017 STEM Camporall,” said Liesl Folks, dean of UB’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.

“We’re glad to partner with UB to offer this unique opportunity for scouts to experience fun, hands-on activities that take advantage of UB’s resources, facilities and staff,” said Robert Reeves, chair of the 2017 STEM Camporall.

On-site contacts: From the Boys Scouts of America, Ben Burke at 716-913-9864 (m) and Rob Reeves at 716-930-1821 (m).