Fort Collins Students Explored STEM at University

The STEM 4 Kids program offered local youth hands-on experience at the Lory Student Center.

Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Pre-Teens

Screen-print poster illustration featuring a vintage brass microscope and glass flasks, evoking the curiosity of scientific exploration. — The STEM 4 Kids program at Colorado State University offers students in Fort Collins practical engineering experience through interactive sessions at the Lory Student Center. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should local schools and universities prioritize offering extracurricular science programs for younger students?

The Walter Scott Jr. College of Engineering at Colorado State University continues its mission to make science accessible for students in fourth through eighth grade. The STEM 4 Kids program offers biweekly interactive sessions designed to build confidence in young learners.

Why it matters

By providing free, hands-on scientific experiences, the program seeks to demystify complex subjects for children. This early engagement is intended to foster long-term confidence in their ability to pursue advanced studies in math and science.

The program operates free biweekly sessions from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Lory Student Center. These sessions are specifically tailored to students in fourth through eighth grade.

The players

Walter Scott Jr. College of Engineering

This academic institution based at Colorado State University hosts the youth science program.

STEM 4 Kids

This independent student organization facilitates science-based learning for local middle-grade students.

The details

Each session begins with a topic presentation before shifting to an interactive analysis segment. Participants engage in practical tasks such as microscope observation and the construction of take-home ecosystems to reinforce learning.

STEM 4 Kids became an independent student organization in the spring of 2022.
The program held an event on water samples and ecology on September 24, 2026.

Culture Shift

This story follows a pattern set by the transition of student-led initiatives into independent university organizations, allowing for greater autonomy in community outreach. The trend reflects a broader move toward university-facilitated youth development programs outside of formal classroom settings.

Local families gain access to a free academic resource that supplements the standard school curriculum for children in fourth through eighth grade. Parents can expect a time commitment of two hours per session on a biweekly basis at the Lory Student Center.

The takeaway

Hands-on participation in scientific analysis can significantly boost a child's confidence in their academic potential. Engaging with extracurricular STEM programs helps normalize challenging subjects in a fun, non-graded environment.