University High students learn about STEM career opportunities on World Quantum Day

Dr. Keenan Dungey and students surround a light experiment on a lab table.

Dr. Keenan Dungey leads an experiment with University High students participating in Quantum Day. Photo by Angela Foster.

As part of World Quantum Day, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga hosted University High students in labs and classrooms across campus to explore their interest in STEM careers.

Professor Keenan Dungey, head of the Department of Physics and Astronomy, and Department of Mathematics Head Chris Cox greeted students. They also heard from UC Foundation Professor of Computer Science and Engineering Mengjun Xie.

They later toured the various departments and learned about their respective fields.

Dungey used his time to show students how light interacts with obstacles and to use lasers to observe different light frequencies.

“Our mission as a public university is public outreach, connecting with the community,” he said. “One thing I can do as a science teacher is to try to encourage the public to learn about science and get excited about science. These types of outreach activities are part of our mission in the department and part of my personal mission to get kids excited about science and consider science as a career.”

The lesson was taught by Kylie Flores, a biochemistry major minoring in Spanish and biology, who discussed what life is like as a college student, different student organizations and available scholarships.

“It’s nice to be able to be here as not a role model but a ‘role model-esque’ person for high school students so they can see themselves in someone who wants to go into the science field,” Flores said.