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Spring 2026 STEM Cubs: curiosity in bloom

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On April 4, 150 mid-Missouri youth in grades K-8 participated in the Spring 2026 STEM Cubs hosted by the Office of Academic Access and Leadership Development; the College of Education and Human Development; and the College of Engineering.

Young boy looks at small images of brain scans
STEM Cubs participant studies MRI scans of a human brain

STEM Cubs K-5

For elementary-aged learners, lessons crafted by Mizzou graduate and undergraduate students focused on a broad range of STEM concepts from the mechanics of sound to digestion in the human body. Designed to facilitate exploration and collaborative learning, each lesson connected core principles of STEM to everyday observations and experiences. This spring’s K-5 lessons and instructors were

  • An introduction to acids and bases with a lemon volcano with Fiona Quigley, sophomore chemical engineering major
  • Animals, plants, and their habitats with Sarah Tordilla, sophomore chemical engineering major
  • The digestive system and oral health with Vy Vu, senior health sciences major with an emphasis in leadership and policy
  • The anatomy of a stroke and a blood clot simulation with Emily Omohundro, senior biological engineering major
  • Exploring waves and sound through simple instruments with Amrut Ramaratnam, doctoral student in chemistry
students at tables face projector screen and female presenter in classroom
Sarah Tordilla, sophomore in chemical engineering, teaches grades K-2 during STEM Cubs

Sarah Tordilla, a first-time instructor in K-2, benefited from the intentional process utilized to prepare each lesson for STEM Cubs. “My experience as a STEM Cubs instructor really pushed me to use my organizational skills, presentation skills, and creativity to bring my lesson plan to life.”  

STEM Cubs Middle Connections

This spring’s session for middle school participants featured MU’s 3D Printing Club, a student organization within the College of Engineering. Mechanical engineering majors, Carolyn Ford (junior), Samuel Kim (sophomore) and Christopher Weeks (sophomore) led a modeling challenge, “Thinking in 3D”. After an introduction to SolidWorks, a digital design tool, the sixth, seventh, and eight grade students made their own designs for 3D-printed projects.

Included in each session were guided tours of engineering labs and student spaces, followed by discussions of careers and majors in STEM.  

Male college students looks at 3D printer screen
Christopher Weeks, sophomore in mechanical engineering, in 3D printing lab during STEM Cubs

STEM Cubs instructors were supported in classrooms by xx undergraduate and graduate student volunteers.

STEM Cubs is funded by Veterans United Foundation.