WINDSOR – Bertie STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) High School hosted a “Community Awareness Day” event Thursday, March 17 at Bertie High School.

More than 30 exhibit stations were set up in the Bertie High gymnasium ranging from colleges and universities (East Carolina and Elizabeth City State), trade schools such as Newport News Apprentice, and even service organizations like Vidant Bertie Hospital, Northampton County Social Services, and Dominion-North Carolina Power.

“Our purpose is to create a dialogue within Bertie and neighboring communities of the variety of resources that are available to citizens,” said STEM school guidance counselor Sharon Tann, who organized the event. “These resources are vital in becoming productive citizens, college ready and global competitive in the 21st century.”

While the program was aimed primarily at the STEM and Bertie Early College High School students, parents and other adult citizens of Bertie County and neighboring communities were invited to come out to be a part of the educational event.

“This helps our citizens with their everyday living,” Tann added, “whether it’s career, college, mental, physical, or social well-being.”

Representatives from local business, faith-based community agencies and organizations as well as educational programs shared their information to the public. But the organizers did not want this to merely be a ‘Career Day’ for students.

“We didn’t want this to just be about careers,” Tann said. “For example, we also targeted (Vidant Bertie) Hospital, Nucor and Dominion Power because they employ as well as give service, and that helps with financial need. The schools provide an educational foundation no matter what field one chooses, because this allows citizens to go out and pursue a good job.”

The majority of participants may have been STEM students, but all those present witnessed demonstrations and exhibits on a variety of occupational fields. The students were eager to explore.

“It’s always good to be aware of the different colleges and other things around the community that can help you out, because you never know what you’ll need in the community,” said Daquan Mebane, a Bertie STEM student. “Whether you attend a college, work a trade, or enter the military, there are some great fields here, and I’m sure they can all help you out with lingering questions.”

“I feel like I can build opportunities for my future life,” said student Shania Balmer of Windsor.

“That’s why technology is here, so we can advance,” added classmate Lydia Bond of Powellsville. “It brings something different and helps us plan on what we want to do in our future.”

“(This) lets the parents and the students know what’s in the community for the children to be aware of,” said STEM Coordinator and Bertie County Schools PTSO (Parent-Teacher-Student-Organization) Liaison Stephanie Brown-Cherry. “It gives them more opportunities because nowadays kids are more prepared for technical fields. Early College students can gain an advantage with their opportunity to get a two-year degree, and that will certainly help with tuition and other expenses should they attend a four-year institution.”

Bertie STEM principal Daphne Williams said she also hopes she can recruit some of the occupational personnel to aid with her school’s curriculum.

“My hope is that the students, as they actually go to each different exhibit, they will see something related to the STEM field,” said Williams. “Sometimes students are not always aware of all the careers that are aligned with (STEM); so we want them to walk away from this with a wealth of knowledge.”

Of particular interest was the Aviation Science exhibit displaying the curriculum offered at Elizabeth City State University. The program offers students a chance to enhance their futures with careers in air-traffic control, robotics, aviation management, flight education, and the new rage: unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones.

“These are just some of the things our students are getting into,” said Aviation Project Coordinator Warren Poole. “We have several grants from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). We’ve also teamed up with the farmers down in the Elizabeth City area to institute some precision measures for agriculture. We fly our drones across their fields and the data they gather tells the farmer how to increase his productivity, and this really helps from a ‘green initiative’ standpoint. For something like this, we really need STEM students.”