Two young students participating in Kids Go STEM event on the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine campus
Kids Go STEM 2024 on the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine campus attracted 167 students from 20 Iowa counties

Last weekend’s Kids Go STEM event on the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine campus attracted 167 students from 20 Iowa counties—the largest number of participants since the program’s inception in 2017.

The program, which aims to spark middle schoolers’ interest in science, technology, engineering, and math, gives kids the chance to explore hands-on activities with real scientists and health care professionals.  

“I enjoyed learning how the body works and how to help people now and when I'm older,” said an Iowa City sixth grader.

Fun, interactive sessions on chemistry, physics, neuroscience, surgery, and nursing—just to name a few—helped students see what day-to-day life in these careers might look like, and where their own strengths and interests could lead them in the future.

“This program was designed for students in middle school, a pivotal stage when they begin to narrow down their future interests and can guide their selection of high school courses,” said Emily Hagedorn, community engagement manager with UI Health Care and one of the program’s organizers. “Programming is also offered to equip parents or guardians with knowledge and tools to guide their child’s journey in STEM and navigate adolescent health.”

Thirty-one UI Health Care and University of Iowa employees volunteered their Saturday morning to lead activities and presentations alongside 28 student volunteers from the college’s medical and physician assistant programs. By inspiring curiosity in science fields, these volunteers hope to inspire the next generation of health care providers.

“I enjoyed learning about the different careers you can do,” said one student from North Liberty.

For more information on UI Health Care’s STEM education programs and opportunities, email stem-education@uiowa.edu. 

Kids Go STEM gives middle school students the chance to explore hands-on activities to see what day-to-day life in chemistry, physics, neuroscience, surgery, and nursing might entail.
Kids Go STEM gives middle school students the chance to explore hands-on activities to see what day-to-day life in chemistry, physics, neuroscience, surgery, and nursing might entail.
Kids Go STEM gives middle school students the chance to explore hands-on activities to see what day-to-day life in chemistry, physics, neuroscience, surgery, and nursing might entail.
Kids Go STEM gives middle school students the chance to explore hands-on activities to see what day-to-day life in chemistry, physics, neuroscience, surgery, and nursing might entail.
Kids Go STEM gives middle school students the chance to explore hands-on activities to see what day-to-day life in chemistry, physics, neuroscience, surgery, and nursing might entail.
Kids Go STEM gives middle school students the chance to explore hands-on activities to see what day-to-day life in chemistry, physics, neuroscience, surgery, and nursing might entail.
Kids Go STEM gives middle school students the chance to explore hands-on activities to see what day-to-day life in chemistry, physics, neuroscience, surgery, and nursing might entail.
Kids Go STEM gives middle school students the chance to explore hands-on activities to see what day-to-day life in chemistry, physics, neuroscience, surgery, and nursing might entail.
Kids Go STEM gives middle school students the chance to explore hands-on activities to see what day-to-day life in chemistry, physics, neuroscience, surgery, and nursing might entail.
Kids Go STEM gives middle school students the chance to explore hands-on activities to see what day-to-day life in chemistry, physics, neuroscience, surgery, and nursing might entail.
Kids Go STEM gives middle school students the chance to explore hands-on activities to see what day-to-day life in chemistry, physics, neuroscience, surgery, and nursing might entail.
Kids Go STEM gives middle school students the chance to explore hands-on activities to see what day-to-day life in chemistry, physics, neuroscience, surgery, and nursing might entail.
Kids Go STEM gives middle school students the chance to explore hands-on activities to see what day-to-day life in chemistry, physics, neuroscience, surgery, and nursing might entail.
Kids Go STEM gives middle school students the chance to explore hands-on activities to see what day-to-day life in chemistry, physics, neuroscience, surgery, and nursing might entail.
Kids Go STEM gives middle school students the chance to explore hands-on activities to see what day-to-day life in chemistry, physics, neuroscience, surgery, and nursing might entail.
Kids Go STEM gives middle school students the chance to explore hands-on activities to see what day-to-day life in chemistry, physics, neuroscience, surgery, and nursing might entail.
Kids Go STEM gives middle school students the chance to explore hands-on activities to see what day-to-day life in chemistry, physics, neuroscience, surgery, and nursing might entail.
Kids Go STEM gives middle school students the chance to explore hands-on activities to see what day-to-day life in chemistry, physics, neuroscience, surgery, and nursing might entail.
Kids Go STEM gives middle school students the chance to explore hands-on activities to see what day-to-day life in chemistry, physics, neuroscience, surgery, and nursing might entail.
Kids Go STEM gives middle school students the chance to explore hands-on activities to see what day-to-day life in chemistry, physics, neuroscience, surgery, and nursing might entail.
Kids Go STEM gives middle school students the chance to explore hands-on activities to see what day-to-day life in chemistry, physics, neuroscience, surgery, and nursing might entail.
Kids Go STEM gives middle school students the chance to explore hands-on activities to see what day-to-day life in chemistry, physics, neuroscience, surgery, and nursing might entail.
Kids Go STEM gives middle school students the chance to explore hands-on activities to see what day-to-day life in chemistry, physics, neuroscience, surgery, and nursing might entail.
Kids Go STEM gives middle school students the chance to explore hands-on activities to see what day-to-day life in chemistry, physics, neuroscience, surgery, and nursing might entail.
Kids Go STEM gives middle school students the chance to explore hands-on activities to see what day-to-day life in chemistry, physics, neuroscience, surgery, and nursing might entail.
Kids Go STEM gives middle school students the chance to explore hands-on activities to see what day-to-day life in chemistry, physics, neuroscience, surgery, and nursing might entail.
Kids Go STEM gives middle school students the chance to explore hands-on activities to see what day-to-day life in chemistry, physics, neuroscience, surgery, and nursing might entail.
Kids Go STEM gives middle school students the chance to explore hands-on activities to see what day-to-day life in chemistry, physics, neuroscience, surgery, and nursing might entail.
Kids Go STEM gives middle school students the chance to explore hands-on activities to see what day-to-day life in chemistry, physics, neuroscience, surgery, and nursing might entail.
Kids Go STEM gives middle school students the chance to explore hands-on activities to see what day-to-day life in chemistry, physics, neuroscience, surgery, and nursing might entail.