National Lab Network Day encourages education

By Maggie Cipriano '15

On April 24, Bradley University hosted its sixth-annual National Lab Network Day. Built upon the combined efforts of the Center for STEM Education and Peoria-area schools, this year over 40 members of Bradley University faculty, staff, and students hosted 90 fourth-grade students from Franklin Primary School.

“We hope to show the fourth graders the exciting breadth of STEM fields and to get them excited about future college and career opportunities,” said Biology lecturer Michelle Edgcomb-Friday, who served on the event organizing committee.

During the event, members of Bradley’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences gather to provide hands-on activities for the fourth-graders in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math.

Not only is the event an informative way to engage young minds, Edgcomb-Friday pointed out that the annual event also engages community and emphasizes the importance of the ties between local educators and the community.