CHATTANOOGA, TN -- For Chattanooga-area students, it’s never too early to explore the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). 

On Feb. 21, Chattanooga State hosted STEM Day, an annual event that invites students from schools across the College’s service area to complete hands-on learning projects and hear from a professional in a STEM field. 

Hands-on STEM Learning 

Attendees at STEM Day 2025 got a taste of STEM education in action, participating in fun, hands-on activities. They built structures using spaghetti and gumdrops and powered LEDs with a lemon and a potato—mimicking real-world problem-solving in engineering and science. They also learned to safely remove personal protective equipment that may have been exposed to nuclear radiation. The projects each mirror a course or program offered at ChattState, which include engineering and Radiation Protection.

Dr. Tremaine Powell, Dean of Engineering and Information Technologies, emphasized the value of STEM education in preparing students for impactful careers—especially for those who enjoy solving problems and helping others. “Your whole job is creative problem solving. You get to address problems and find solutions that improve your community,” he said. 

STEM Careers in Action 

Not only did students get to participate in hands-on STEM projects—they also heard from Sara Magallon, a geotechnical engineer in Chattanooga. Magallon's interest in civil and geotechnical engineering began before she even knew the field existed: “The joke in my family was that I was always covered in dirt. Now, dirt pays the bills because I literally play in it all day,” she said. 

Magallon’s love for playing in the dirt evolved into an engineering career that helps keep communities safer. Her work has included shoring up the infamous W Road on Signal Mountain after a landslide and building retaining walls for rides at Dollywood.  

"I've never had any two projects be the same. Even on the same project, there's so many different conditions because geology changes so much," she said. “I really like what I do, and I can't imagine doing something different. I love a good challenge.” 

Your Pathway to STEM at ChattState 

STEM Day isn’t the only way to get an early start on STEM careers. ChattState’s Early College Programs for high school students offers many opportunities through dual-enrollment, Polytech Academy, and the STEM School of Chattanooga. 

Regardless of whether a student completes one of the Early College programs STEM education at ChattState provides multiple pathways for students from all backgrounds whether straight out of high school or an adult returning to college. While engineering programs at ChattState seem like an obvious choice, STEM careers also extend into fields like Mathematics and Sciences, Nursing and Allied Heath, and ChattState’s Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) programs. 

STEM Day is an annual event at ChattState, if you missed this year’s event, keep your eyes open for next year’s event. STEM Day events expose students to exciting STEM career opportunities in Chattanooga and beyond. “The main goal of STEM Day is to be able to expose students to career fields in areas that they have never seen,” Dr. Powell said. 

Ready to start your journey toward a high-demand STEM career? Apply to ChattState today and explore hands-on learning opportunities!