Our Wildwood, Volume 52

FEATURE A Decade In: The Institutes at Wildwood

{

Wildwood Institute for STEM Research and Development (WISRD)

From robots that paint to bioactive habitats, cosmic ray detection to subsonic wind tunnels, the Wildwood Institute for STEM Research and Development (WISRD) continues to live up to its mission to define problems and conduct scientific research to better understand problems and add knowledge to the community. As Wildwood’s founding

stress by music via the quantification of cortisol, and the study of how to create fully self-sustaining fish habitats in 30-gallon tanks. Other on-going projects are long-term, on the order of 10 years, such as looking at the collection of cosmic ray data and hydrogen signals from space using detectors and telescopes, or studying how vegetables can be hydroponically grown sustainably and with little environmental impact. In addition to research and

To define problems and

conduct scientific research to better understand problems and add knowledge to the community.

(WISRD) Institute, a decade ago, WISRD is dedicated to helping members of our community reach their full scientific potential while creating opportunities to perform original research. WISRD members study topics that are relevant to their specific interests, from deeper dives on topics brought up in science classes to burning questions that they have always wondered about, or even passing ideas that are developed in conversation. The ability for students to innovation, members of WISRD take seriously their responsibility to inform the community of developments in STEM-related fields of study and are committed to making STEM accessible for all. This fall, WISRD hosted its annual science carnival, Dark Matter Day, which attracted more than 600 K-12 students and families to campus. With a host of fun, kid-friendly activities, WISRD members helped younger students understand unique

choose their research questions has led to unique explorations. Current projects include a physical wind tunnel used to study the aerodynamics of 1:24 scale cars, and investigation of the amelioration of

and interesting STEM topics–with the aid of some liquid nitrogen ice cream, naturally!

22