Tucker Middle to host free evening of science March 21

Tucker Middle School, 2160 Idlewood Road, will host STEMCon Night 2018 from 4 to 6 p.m. today. The event is the result of a partnership between Dekalb County School District, Atlanta Science Festival and Northrop Grumman.

The free public event invites students, parents, staff and stakeholders to a night filled with STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) related activities that include solving hypothetical outbreaks, extracting strawberry DNA, exploring the power of solar energy and an in-depth look at the James Webb Space Telescope.

Employees from one of Tucker Middle’s STEM partners, Northrop Grumman—a global cyber-security company—will lead activities and expects participation from more than 150 Tucker Middle students.

“We would like to thank Northrop Grumman for playing a critical role in providing STEM career exposure to students and families in the Tucker community. Events like STEMCon and the Atlanta Science Festival represent true collaboration between communities, corporations and classrooms,” said Eric Knapp, Tucker Middle’s STEM coordinator.

According to Knapp, Tucker Middle hosts several STEM exposure events throughout the year, including ice cream with an engineer, a STEM Decathlon and Georgia STEM Day. Northrop Grumman is a consistent present at the school.

“We’re proud to work in and serve the greater Atlanta communities, especially its children,” said Erik Buice, vice president, health solutions, Northrop Grumman. “We are committed to developing and encouraging the education and growth of our nation’s youth, and more specifically in Tucker, and we thank the City of Tucker and Tucker Middle School for partnering with us on our STEM education initiatives.”