Harrison Central eighth graders dive into STEM at showcase event

Harrison Central High School’s main gymnasium was transformed into a hub of science and opportunity last week as eighth graders explored careers and hands-on demonstrations in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

The event, sponsored by the Harrison County Community Foundation, featured the COSI Hive Road Show, a traveling program from the Center of Science and Industry that partners with local businesses to bring STEM education directly to schools.

Kate Sedgmer, director of school communications, said the Foundation of Appalachia reached out to the district with the opportunity. “We’re fortunate to be one of the locations,” she said.

Students rotated among tables set up by local organizations and businesses. WVU Medicine’s Harrison Community Hospital shared imaging contrasts used to visualize the human body. The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office offered demonstrations, while Transfr provided a virtual reality experience covering multiple career fields. G&S Swine wowed the crowd with pop rockets soaring across the gym, and Interstate Waste Services demonstrated its “jellyfish claw,” a device that mimics arcade game grabbers.

A pilot program called Schooljoy introduced students to artificial intelligence as a job coach, interviewer and collaborative problem solver.

According to COSI, the Hive Road Show is part of its “STEM pipeline program created to improve the lives of participating students through STEM education while promoting greater diversity within the future STEM workforce.”

Sponsors for the event included Harrison Community Hospital, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office, G&S Swine, Interstate Waste Services and the Harrison County Health Department.