DENTON (UNT), Texas — The University of North Texas opened its campus to a new generation of engineers and scientists, welcoming more than 100 seventh-graders from Kennemer Middle School’s STEAM Academy. The STEM-centered field day was organized by assistant professor of mathematics education Queshonda Kudaisi, and featured faculty and staff from UNT’s College of Education, College of Science, College of Information and the University Libraries.

“The trip was really fun,” said Naomi, a seventh-grader from Duncanville Independent School District. “It was interesting to get out of school and explore things that we’ve never experienced before.”

Students attended a welcome ceremony before rotating through four STEM activity stations. At Willis Library’s Spark Makerspace, they toured a 3D-printing lab and watched robotics demonstrations. At the Music Library’s Soundbox, they learned how to create music through movement, sample tracks to produce a song and viewed an exhibit on the history of recording technology.

The group also toured campus — including a mock residential hall dorm room — and took part in a Q&A where professors from multiple departments discussed college life and careers in STEM.

“My favorite thing was getting to know UNT and the campus tour,” said Cali, another seventh-grade participant. “I think UNT is my first choice for college now.”

Their teachers noted how engaged the students were throughout the day. One student interested in cosmetology was excited to learn she could major in chemistry to become a cosmetics chemist. Kaelon McLemore, a STEAM Academy teacher, said he was excited to see how inspired his students were by the trip.

“They were able to really see the overall arc of what it takes to go to college,” McLemore said. “The experience was just wonderful."

Queshonda Kudaisi, assistant professor of mathematics education, helped to organize the event and moderated the Q&A between students and professors Molly Atkinson, Mila Rosa Carden, Li Cheng, Karisma Morton, and James Uanhoro which represent the departments of Chemistry, Learning Technologies, Teacher Education and Administration, and Educational Psychology. She said speaking directly with faculty helped students picture themselves in a college environment.

“It is very rewarding to provide these opportunities to middle-school students,” Kudaisi said. “The professors did a great job helping the students connect the dots between middle school, college and future careers in STEM.”  

Kudaisi said her own first campus visit was formative and hopes experiences like this do the same for these students. Teachers said that many of the seventh-graders were discussing the trip and expressing their excitement about it on the ride home.

To build on the momentum up, Kudaisi and colleagues across the university plan to host a STEM camp in summer 2026. Kudaisi said that Kennemer students who attended the field day will be offered a tuition waiver, and more than half have already expressed interest. She hopes to expand the program to include elementary school students in the future.

“I wanted them to walk away inspired about their futures, whether that’s here at UNT or somewhere else,” Kudaisi said. “I hope they understand their potential and are inspired for their futures, their academic lives and whatever path they choose.”