STEM is everywhere at Barton Community College, said Dr. Jennifer Bernatis, executive director of Health, Humanities and Science at the college. She was talking about Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.

“We are the entire campus,” Bernatis told the Board of Trustees this week.

An active STEM Club has members participating in Earth Day at the Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo, the Great Bend USD 428 Reading Initiative where 1,300 students read “The Wild Robot,” and Barton’s own Jack Kilby STEM Day last year.

Recent activities have involved weather stations, 3D printers and drones.

Last year, STEM Buddies visited Ellinwood Elementary School periodically to help kids explore topics such as space and the human body.

“We try to be involved everywhere we can,” Bernatis said.

Members plan to invite local children onto the campus on Oct. 18 for some STEM fun. They will be working with the Great Bend Recreation Center for that event.

STEM GEOPaths

Last year and again this year, Barton received a STEM GEOPaths grant from Kansas State University. Qualifying Barton students with an interest in hydrology and geology received $3,000 stipends. Their work included testing wells for water quality. Anyone interested in requesting a free test can contact Barton chemistry instructor Amanda Alliband at alibanda@bartonccc.edu.

Artificial Intelligence

Barton President Dr. Marcus Garstecky voiced his approval of the work being done on campus.

“Nationwide, there is a shortage of people going into the STEM fields,” he said. 

The topic is important for running the college as well as advancing students’ careers. Board of Trustees Chairman Mike Johnson said the college needs to explore Artificial Intelligence. He had recently attended a presentation on data management.

“I don’t think we go a day without having that conversation on campus,” Garstecky said. “There’s not a department or area on our campus that will not be affected by AI.”

Personnel report

The STEM presentation was part of the Aug. 27 BCC Board of Trustees meeting. In other business, the board approved five new employees, all on the Great Bend campus:

• Kelcie Kippes – assistant softball coach

• Chandler Bloomer – part-time groundskeeper (field maintenance)

• Brenda Guerra – custodial supervisor

• Kaitlynn Dyke – Sports Medicine aide 

• Sondra Robinson – Ag and Industry Education administrative assistant