Guest Speakers
Professor Thomas Cech Nobel, Laureate in Chemistry
We hosted a guest speaker event featuring Nobel Laureate Prof. Thomas Cech, giving high school students the opportunity to learn directly from a leading figure in the field of chemistry. Prof. Cech shared insights into his research journey, laboratory experiences, and most importantly, his current work and its potential impact on the future of science. The event was open to students of all backgrounds and interests, fostering curiosity, accessibility, and meaningful engagement with real-world scientific discovery.
Professor Bernard Amadei, Founder of Engineers Without Borders
We hosted a guest speaker event featuring Professor Bernard Amadei, founder of Engineers Without Borders. Professor Amadei spoke about how engineering can be used as a powerful tool to support communities and improve quality of life around the world. He shared real-world examples of humanitarian engineering projects and emphasized the role of engineers in creating sustainable, global impact. This event inspired students to think beyond technical skills and consider how innovation can directly serve humanity.
Bryan Leach, Founder and CEO of Ibotta
We hosted a guest speaker event featuring Bryan Leach, Founder and CEO of Ibotta. Mr. Leach shared his journey from high school to leading a successful technology company, emphasizing that his path was far from traditional. He discussed the importance of taking risks in pursuit of one’s passions and highlighted, through his experience building a company from the ground up, that no task is too small when working toward a larger vision. He encouraged students to think ambitiously and pursue their goals, regardless of whether their current path seems directly aligned. The event provided valuable insight into the modern business landscape, including how technology companies operate today and the growing role of artificial intelligence in the industry.
Sponsored Workshops and Projects
PCB Workshop
Ascent STEM hosted a hands-on PCB (Printed Circuit Board) workshop that introduced students to circuit design, electronics, and engineering prototyping. Students learned how to use PCB design software, understand electrical components, and create their own custom circuit layouts through KiCAD, an industry-level software. One student entered the workshop with little prior electronics experience and left having designed a functioning LED control board, later expressing interest in pursuing electrical engineering. We guided them throughout the whole process and were able to fund their PCB for which they ended up making a mechanical keyboard that they use to this day.
3D Printer Motion Systems
Following the PCB workshop, Ascent STEM sponsored a student engineering project focused on improving 3D printer motion systems. Students researched stepper motor control, belt-driven mechanics, and precision movement systems to better understand how modern additive manufacturing technology operates. They ended up making a completely novel CoreXYZ-based motion system and worked with Voron Design to implement the different proposed designs and integrate it into modern printers. The project allowed students to apply concepts from electronics and mechanical engineering in a practical setting while experimenting with ways to improve print stability and efficiency. Through this sponsorship, students gained valuable experience in iterative design, technical troubleshooting, and collaborative engineering.
Rocketry Team
Ascent STEM proudly sponsors one of the top rocketry teams in the district, ranked in the top three in the district and among the top 20 teams nationally. Our support has helped provide resources, outreach opportunities, and continued development for students competing at a high technical level. In fact, we were able to connect them with CSU’s team and fund their trip to nationals. They worked extensively on propulsion systems, aerodynamics, payload integration, and launch analysis, gaining real-world aerospace engineering experience throughout the process. This helps students pursue competitive engineering opportunities and prepares them for future careers in aerospace and related fields.
Partners
