This last week 15 high school students from Riverside’s sister city Sendai, Japan visited Riverside.  These students are studying at Tohoku University in Sendai in a very specialized STEM program.  As part of a the Young Scientists program, these students visited the Riverside STEM Academy (RSA) and stayed with local host families associated with it.  Professor Akira Ando, an electrical engineer from Tohoku University’s Graduate School of Engineering, accompanied the students and spoke at the STEM Symposium on Monday about his research and Tohoku University’s opportunities.

As part of their visit, the group made their way to the Sycamore Canyon Wilderness Park and Ameal Moore Nature Center!  Coordinated by Sarah Simpson, a volunteer at the Riverside STEM Academy, the students toured the center with local volunteering high school students and met Teresa Woodard, Education Curator at the Riverside Metropolitan Museum in downtown Riverside.  The group took a hike in the park and conducted a bioblitz, the results of which will be used by Riverside scientists to develop a better idea of the current life in the park.

The nature center was pleased to be a part of the visiting students’ experience here in California and looks forward to hearing updates about their progress with their studies.  STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.  STEM schools have a heavy focus on these key four subjects, preparing students for a career in the sciences.  Science is an important sector that the center is proud to promote in the lives of visitors and in Riverside culture.