Local students build boats and race for Free STEM Saturday

A unique learning opportunity was held for South Mississippi youth as they explore the worlds of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Presented by the Department of Defense, the Hancock County NAACP, and STEMNOLA, young students built battery powered boats.

The students learned first hand about buoyancy and density as they crafted and tested their sailboats, pontoon boats, and swamp boats.

Throughout the process, students also factored in the different characteristics of boats, and what allows them to float or sink in different environments. STEMNOLA Sr. Programs Devin Floyd said, “it’s actually inspiring every time we get to do it, I love and enjoy doing this. the beauty of it is that it’s like we will be building is like a stem community. We have college kids who are working at the table with them who are in stem fields, and they get to engage the kids and expose and just share their knowledge, with them in stem.”

Hancock County NAACP President Dr. Gregory Barabino said, “I think it’s very wonderful that our kids get to learn some of where the world is going right now in the technology, and they get to learn it at home. They didn’t have to go outside the state or go off somewhere, they could learn it in their community and I think that is something that will stick with them.”

The Hancock County NAACP is looking forward to bringing more events like this to South Mississippi.