On Thursday, February 27, 2014, Riverside Middle School hosted its 2nd annual Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) event. Students and their families gathered to learn more about opportunities in STEM fields and were able to participate in hands-on activities. Students and families were able to visit booths, exhibits and demonstrations. The event was meant to attract more students to STEM fields and get them involved in STEM education. The event revealed the diversity in STEM education including culinary arts; environmental science; biotechnology; robotics; agricultural science; animal science; pharmaceuticals; aeronautics; mathematics and statistics; consumer science and more. The STEM Family Night Event gave middle school students the opportunity to investigate STEM-related exhibits, visit classrooms, and participate in hands-on breakout sessions representing university, community college, business, and community sponsor STEM partners.

The Elizabeth City State University School of Mathematics, Science and Technology was represented by several individuals at the event. Graduate students Patrina Bly, Justin Deloatch, and Michael Jefferson of the Center of Excellence in Remote Sensing Education and Research (CERSER) program presented a hands-on exhibit of glacier facts and research. Dr. Sheryl Bradford, Research Operations Manager in the Biology Department of ECSU, presented interactions with plant chlorophyll extractions. The Technology Department set up a simulator to be flown using a controller from a remotely controlled aircraft system.