High School Students Attend SciFEST at Andrews

A total of 41 students from eight different Adventist academies attended Andrews University’s SciFEST from Sept. 18–21. The weekend, which was themed “Space,” included various labs, workshops, activities and discussions on campus. University faculty led activities designed to prompt the creativity and curiosity of students within the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) subjects.

 

The academies represented at SciFEST were Andrews Academy, Battle Creek Academy, Blue Mountain Academy, Chisholm Trail Academy, Gurnee Christian Academy, Hinsdale Adventist Academy, Holland Adventist Academy and Spring Valley Academy. Although SciFEST predominantly targets high school juniors and seniors, the program accepted some freshman and sophomore teams as well.

 

SciFEST has been an annual event at Andrews since 2013, but this year’s session featured several unique topics and events. After a welcome ceremony on Thursday evening, students had the opportunity to engage in a variety of activities, including a coding workshop, a tour of the University’s Museum of Nature and Science, use of the Andreasen Center for Wellness, and a game night. On Friday, after a morning worship, several STEM labs took place throughout the day in Chan Shun Hall. In the evening, an outdoor vespers service was held at the Robert and Lillis Kingman Observatory.

 

On Sabbath morning, the students were invited to attend a faith and science panel, titled “The Universe & Creation.” Sable Canales, STEM marketing and enrollment coordinator, explains, “One of the big things that we are doing that’s slightly different is we’re being intentional to have a faith and science panel discussion.” She notes that this year’s panel featured a theologian as well as several scientists in order to provide additional perspectives, sharing, “Students can come and ask scientists that are Adventists tricky questions about specific science questions related to faith.”

 

After the panel, the visitors were able to attend church services across campus before a trip to Weko Beach. In the evening, a vespers service was held in Newbold Auditorium, followed by a QuizBowl game show, where students had the opportunity to test their STEM knowledge. The event closed with an awards ceremony for the winning teams, and the schools departed the next day.

 

Participants anonymously provided feedback to SciFEST organizers, sharing what they learned from and loved about the event. One student said, “I enjoyed the meals and vespers because the food was really good and the vibes for vespers was chill.” Another responded, “I really enjoyed the theme this year and learning more about space.”

 

Other comments included praise for the games, labs, Sabbath School program, opportunities to collaborate with other students and the overall warm atmosphere of SciFEST. Canales shared that the evening visit to the observatory was a highlight for participants as well.

 

In the future, Canales hopes to grow the amount of labs and programs available at SciFEST, though it will require an expansion of available resources. She would also like to find new ways to support students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. “I would hate for a student who really is passionate about science to not come because of money. So one of the big things that I am currently working toward is finding ways to get either sponsorship or money so that students who really want to come are able to attend.”

 

Organizers will continue developing the program to support and engage more students from Adventist academies, public schools and homeschooling environments, fostering interest in STEM subjects and how the material intersects with faith. To learn more about SciFEST and Andrews’ STEM Division, please visit the division’s website.