UW’s Science Initiative Roadshow Completes Historic Year

This academic year, the University of Wyoming's Science Initiative Roadshow celebrated its largest number of outreach activities yet, bringing hands-on STEM learning experiences to communities across Wyoming through 106 events in 19 of Wyoming's 23 counties between September and May.

Most significantly, the Roadshow, since it began in 2017, has now officially reached all 23 Wyoming counties. The Roadshow completed its statewide milestone with STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) events in both Lovell and Greybull in Big Horn County -- the final county to host Roadshow programming, according to Erin Klauk, an assistant lecturer of geology and geophysics and co-director of the Science Initiative Roadshow and Community Engagement Program.

Throughout the academic year, the Roadshow reached more than 12,000 early childhood students, K-12 students and other community members through STEM Days, classroom visits, field experiences, community science events and on-campus programs such as its monthly STEM-ology events.

The Science Initiative Roadshow continues to grow as a statewide network, connecting UW with schools and communities through engaging, hands-on STEM education. The program is led by undergraduate and graduate students from UW -- alongside university instructors and community partners -- who travel throughout the state facilitating hands-on learning experiences in geology, ecology, engineering, energy, physics, chemistry and natural resources.

The Roadshow works closely with educators to design activities that support existing curricula; align with Wyoming science standards; and create meaningful connections between students and real-world STEM applications happening in their own communities. This collaborative model not only increases STEM excitement and accessibility for learners across Wyoming, but also provides valuable science communication, teaching and outreach experience for UW students.

One of the program's most exciting areas of growth this year was the expansion of the Roadshow Outreach Assistant Program. What began as a small team has grown into a multidisciplinary cohort of nearly 40 undergraduate and graduate students representing STEM and education degree programs across the university. These students played a critical role in planning, organizing and implementing outreach events across the state while developing skills in leadership, communication, teaching and community engagement. Their creativity and enthusiasm helped make this year's programming more impactful than ever before.

The Roadshow's continued success was made possible through partnerships both on and off campus. These partnerships included the UW Wyrkshop Mobile Makerspace; NASA Wyoming Space Grant Science Kitchen; UW K-14 STEM Education and Engineering Outreach; School of Energy Resources; Wyoming Game and Fish Department; Wyoming Wildlife Federation; local conservation districts; Wyoming community colleges; Wyoming state parks; and many other local educators and organizations across the state. Together, these partnerships allowed students to explore topics ranging from robotics and engineering to wildlife ecology, soils, energy and water resources through interactive, hands-on learning experiences.

"As the Science Initiative Roadshow looks ahead, the program continues to expand opportunities for statewide collaboration and community engagement," Klauk says. "With growing partnerships, increasing student involvement and demand for hands-on STEM programming continuing to rise across Wyoming, the Roadshow remains committed to creating accessible, meaningful science experiences that inspire curiosity, strengthen connections between UW and communities, and help students see themselves in future STEM pathways."