The Animal Welfare Association (AWA) created an innovative STEM Education Day, highlighting the intersection of STEM and animal welfare. Supported by WSFS Bank, the first free event on October 12th brought nearly 40 children in grades K-7 through a range of hands-on learning stations, such as Veterinary Medicine, Animal Behavior, Engineering, Pet Nutrition, and Botany.
Participants experienced STEM in action by working as "vets for a day" in a Pretend Pet Clinic, examining parasites with Senior Shelter Veterinarian Dr. Emily Seidl, exploring bioengineering concepts with animals, learning about the science behind animal behavior and training, understanding animal nutrition, and identifying poisonous plants. Each activity connected STEM concepts to real-world applications in animal care and welfare.
Due to the success of this event, AWA's Education Department has expanded the program into schools, offering a two-hour, adaptable STEM curriculum for grades K-12. Educators bring all materials for interactive activities, such as designing animal enclosures, sorting healthy and unhealthy animal foods, and using microscopes to view parasites.
This engaging, hands-on program allows up to 90 students to experience STEM through animal welfare, making it a valuable addition to any school’s curriculum. If you are interested in scheduling a program for your students or would like to learn more, please contact the Education Department at 856-424-2288 ext. 219 or Education@awanj.org.
