Almost 300 seventh-graders made a trip to Beaufort County Community College on Friday as part of the fourth-annual Youth STEM Career Day.

Sponsored by Beaufort County Police Activities League, an organization that works to expose youth to STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) careers, the students were able to rotate through stations featuring representatives from Beaufort County Health Department, PotashCorp-Aurora, science-based company DSM and the NASA Langley Research Center, as well as get a first-hand look at an EastCare medical helicopter.

Other first responders were also on hand with their equipment to give the seventh-graders a look at what those careers entail.

“STEM provides a foundation for any type of career,” BCPAL President Al Powell said. “We emphasize that human component as well as the science component.”

Ashley Padgett, director of secondary curriculum at Beaufort County Schools, said it is important to expose youth to these careers because it relates to what they learn in the classroom.

“’See? That’s why we do it. That’s why we learn it,’” Padgett said, quoting one seventh-grade math teacher.

She said there is now a committee of teachers at each school promoting STEM activities, and the school district is looking to expand this further through partnerships, including one with the community college.

“You’re not just learning this as a one-time shot,” Padgett said. “We’re looking at this as being more than one day.”

Powell said the Career Day is also a good way to show students what they can achieve with education.

No matter the home situation, a student can make something of himself through education, he said.

Thanks to one of his connections at the Langley Research Center, Powell said NASA is now interested in collaborating with its Beaufort County partners.

By putting all of the pieces together, students can view career options, learn the importance of education and make connections for the future.

“This is stuff they read about,” Powell said. “We’re planting a seed of hope.”