ACT’s longtime advocacy for and commitment to rigorous education and assessment for students in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) was on full display in an interactive booth staffed by 16 ACT team members, joined by a representative from the University of Iowa. Co-located in a booth across from ACT was STEM Premier®, which has partnered with ACT since 2014 to enhance opportunities for all students in the area of STEM.
The ACT team engaged with thousands of attendees from virtually every walk of life, all united by a passion for STEM and a desire to succeed in STEM-related classes and careers. Held every two years, the festival is a national grassroots effort to advance STEM education and inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers. Participating exhibitors, performers, speakers, partners, sponsors, and advisors represent a “who’s who” of science and engineering across the U.S.
“What we really wanted people to take away is that ‘ACT’ means more than just an admissions exam,” says Steve Kappler, Vice President Brand Experience. “We had the chance to share with students and parents the broad range of ACT resources and services that can help them understand their interests and academic abilities and how they align with their anticipated postsecondary or career choices.
“So many parents and students we visited with were interested to learn that the ACT is the only major college entrance exam to offer a science section and score that contribute to an ACT STEM score and provides students with a STEM ranking,” Kappler added.
Also of interest to many visitors, says Kappler, was the ACT research report “The Condition of STEM 2015”—the third such report from ACT on the topic.
Through an ACT Sweepstakes at the event, ACT collected names for a drawing to award eight $500 ACT Scholarships to students in grades 11 and 12, and 100 vouchers for the ACT® test to students in grades 9 through 12.