National STEM Day Takes Faculty into Local Schools

December 9, 2025

A Baylor faculty member helps a child try a VR headset at a school STEM event.

During the week leading up to National STEM Day, Nov. 8, 2025, faculty and their Baylor students engaged with students in Mart Elementary School, McGregor Middle School and Midway High School to encourage an affinity for STEM fields while demystifying careers in these fields.

Samuel Urlacher, Ph.D., associate professor of anthropology, led students at Mart Elementary School in a series of activities to help them recognize the impact of a healthy diet and physical activity.

Bryan F. Shaw, Ph.D., professor of chemistry and biochemistry, led students at McGregor Middle School through a series of common lab activities with the use of assistive technologies to show students how individuals with disabilities can still participate in science careers.

Mary Lauren Benton, B.S. ’15, Ph.D., is a computer scientist with a focus on applications for human health. Benton led students at Midway High School in interactive activities designed to help them develop precision teamwork and logical questions to build computer applications that can serve others.

Baylor students present a STEM lesson at the front of a classroom.

In addition, Baylor provided instructions for a computer science-themed interactive activity that does not require a computer to fulfill. The lesson plan, selected by Benton, is designed to help students think through problems and processes that yield logical solutions while working together and being attentive to communication and teamwork.

Teachers may download the activity at baylor.edu/STEMactivity25.