BIG TIDE YOUTH SUMMIT 2026 - CEAR Hub helping students "BE UNSTOPPABLE"

The 2026 Big Tide Youth Summit, featuring the STEM Lab powered by the CEAR Hub, marked the program’s third year of hosting this dynamic, hands-on learning experience. An estimated 3,000 students from Chatham County and surrounding areas took part in the STEM Lab for an immersive exploration of environmental science, technology, and career pathways. Through engaging, interactive activities, students were introduced to real-world STEM applications while gaining valuable insight into future educational and career opportunities.

Students gather during the Big Tide Youth Summit 2026, actively engaging in STEM activities.

Throughout the CEAR Hub powered Lab, students navigated a dynamic STEM environment designed to spark curiosity and build awareness of future career pathways. Each activity station was connected directly to real-world applications, helping participants understand how science, technology, engineering, and mathematics play a critical role in addressing environmental challenges.

Dr. Russ Clark from Georgia Tech's CEAR Hub guides students through a map spot activity, fostering hands-on learning and engagement.

Students engaged in a wide range of interactive experiences, including:

• Engineering Construction Activities, where students explored design thinking and structural problem-solving, gaining insight into careers in engineering and construction management.

• DNA Extraction Labs, allowing students to uncover the building blocks of life while learning about careers in biotechnology, research, and healthcare.

• Artificial Intelligence & Sensor Data Exploration, where students discovered how AI uses environmental sensor data to detect early warning signs of environmental changes such as rising water levels, temperature shifts, and severe weather conditions. This activity highlighted careers in data science, environmental monitoring, and AI development.

• Map Spot Exploration, which introduced students to geographic information systems (GIS) and spatial data analysis, reinforcing connections to careers in environmental science, urban planning, and geospatial technology.

By incorporating these diverse, hands-on activities, the CEAR Hub STEM Lab created an engaging learning environment where students were not only participants but active problem-solvers. Each experience was intentionally designed to bridge classroom concepts with real-world applications, helping students envision themselves in future STEM roles.

Lesa Hagins, the educational outreach manager at Georgia Tech CEAR Hub, guides students through an engaging STEM activity.

In addition to exploring scientific concepts, the summit provided valuable exposure to secondary education pathways and career opportunities available within the region. Students gained insight into how their interests in STEM can translate into college programs, technical certifications, and high-demand careers.

CEAR Hub played a meaningful role in delivering these impactful experiences—empowering students with practical skills, career awareness, and the confidence to pursue future studies in Environmental STEM-related fields. CEAR Hub looks forward to future involvement in the summit to continue connecting students to hands-on learning with meaningful career exploration and inspire the next generation of innovators, scientists, and problem-solvers.