Summer has come to an end and area students have returned to class. And the Environmental and Heritage Center encourages everyone to get a head start on a great school year and enjoy fun activities connected to Science-Technology-Engineering-Math.

The EHC will host is second annual Back-To-School STEM event from 1-5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 30, at 2020 Clean Water Drive in Buford.

The event will feature a number of STEM focused activities, including the opportunity to meet real STEM professionals. Dr. Chi Thai of the University of Georgia’s School of Engineering will showcase his work with robotic arms. Mike Hemphill of Acuity Brands Lighting will provide demonstrations using Visual Light Communication and low-energy Blue Tooth technologies and discuss coding and game development. Members of the Gwinnett County Police Crime Scene Investigations Unit will highlight the tools and science they use to solve crimes.

Participants will also have a chance to discover the engineering talents of beavers, utilize LEGO EV3 robots to solve recycling challenges and experience science and math in action at various stations throughout the building and its lab.

“In today’s classroom, there is a huge focus on STEM education,” EHC programming director Jason West said.  “It is crucial that we equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to graduate from high school, be successful in college and professional careers and be competitive with their peers throughout the United States and the world.  Highlighting fun and exciting STEM connections is certainly one way to get the school year off on the right track.”

The event is included in EHC admission, which is $7.50 for adults 13 and older, $5.50 for students ages 13 to 22 with valid ID and seniors 55 and older, $3.50 for children ages 3-12, free for children 2 and younger. EHC members are free.

Visit www.gwinnettEHC.org for more information.