GO STEM

GO STEM Bringing free STEM learning to the Eastern Oregon counties of Union, Morrow, Umatilla, Grant, Wallowa, Baker, and Harney.
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The common belief is that being bitten by a baby rattlesnake is more serious than being bitten by an adult because they ...
08/21/2026

The common belief is that being bitten by a baby rattlesnake is more serious than being bitten by an adult because they cannot control the amount of venom and will not release after biting. False!

In a study conducted on a range of rattlesnakes, it was found that adults can deliver far more venom to the victim (prey) than immature snakes. It was also determined that immature snakes can control their venom and do not release more than necessary.

It is difficult to track where this idea began, but a surprising number of both lay (53%) and professionals (73%) continue to believe the myth. Informing the public of the facts may reduce the compunction to kill baby rattlesnakes and to refrain from overmedicating once a person has been bitten.

Learn more at: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260707054123.htm

Last week, GO STEM brought the Mobile Maker Lab to the Umatilla County Fair, where kids of all ages stopped by for hands...
08/21/2026

Last week, GO STEM brought the Mobile Maker Lab to the Umatilla County Fair, where kids of all ages stopped by for hands-on STEM learning.

From learning about plasma and solar power to building with magnetics, discovering Oregon, and even engaging with the augmented reality topographic sandbox, the Mobile Maker Lab has something for everyone.

The GO STEM Mobile Maker Lab also has solar panels on the roof, so all of the activities (and air conditioning!) inside are powered by the sun.

We love seeing so much curiosity and excitement from kids and families as the community engages together, and learns together!

Thanks to everyone who came by and visited us!

Researchers believe that there are at least 1,250 genes that impact how people age. The genes are clustered into groups ...
08/21/2026

Researchers believe that there are at least 1,250 genes that impact how people age. The genes are clustered into groups of similarity and can overlap in complicated ways. In other words, aging does not have one particular cause but rather a number of proteins that interact in a million ways. To explore how medicine might begin to systematically address the issue, researchers identified the 6,442 drugs that are currently in the medical arsenal that are used for other reasons than aging. Knowing where the clusters of genes are that control aging may help direct the search for those drugs that have an impact. Drugs that interact with some of the families of aging proteins are now being tested as potential life-extending therapies. This thinking led to the evidence that some over-the-counter medications may have positive side effects. Aspirin and a nasal decongestant, for example, have shown some promise in improving cell-to-cell communication. It could be that there are things already out there that will be helpful!

https://www.sciencealert.com/medications-already-in-pharmacies-may-slow-aging-and-scientists-are-narrowing-them-down

This week, we set up our StarLab Portable Planetarium outdoors at Riverside Park in La Grande. Hosting this lab outside ...
08/14/2026

This week, we set up our StarLab Portable Planetarium outdoors at Riverside Park in La Grande. Hosting this lab outside was a GO STEM first, and we are happy to report that it worked!

Thank you to everyone who came out to explore constellations with us, and a special thank you to Cook Memorial Library - La Grande, Oregon for helping to coordinate the event and partnering with GO STEM to bring this free experience to our community.

It is not uncommon for surgeons to employ robotics in performing some procedures, especially laparoscopic incisions. The...
08/14/2026

It is not uncommon for surgeons to employ robotics in performing some procedures, especially laparoscopic incisions. The devices used are fairly large and stationary, so they have limited geographic range to serve beyond larger cities. For this reason, researchers have been testing and perfecting humanoid robots that can perform the same tasks. In a pilot project, humanoid robots performed surgery on a pig to remove the gallbladder. The robots were not autonomous. They were controlled by a surgeon working remotely from a panel of controls and a doctor on-site as an assistant. The hope is that this more portable robot can be sent to remote sites as the eyes, ears, and now, hands of a surgeon.

Learn more at: https://www.sciencealert.com/world-first-humanoid-robots-perform-surgery-on-live-animals-this-could-prove-useful-in-space

GO STEM is at the Umatilla County Fair! Catch us at the Umatilla fairgrounds in Hermiston today and tomorrow with lots o...
08/13/2026

GO STEM is at the Umatilla County Fair! Catch us at the Umatilla fairgrounds in Hermiston today and tomorrow with lots of freebies and a trailer of fun.

We are right inside gate 3. You will see us next to the tractor display! đźšś

In the past decade and a half, environmental scientists have become dependent on observations of citizens who are out an...
08/13/2026

In the past decade and a half, environmental scientists have become dependent on observations of citizens who are out and about observing nature. People snap pictures of plants and animals and then post them to sites where the researcher can collect and log a particular behavior or species. This Citizen Scientist approach has helped identify new species and information about habitats, ranges, and behaviors of living things. Now, however, there is a threat to this informal system: AI Slop. There are two basic problems. The first is the deliberate sabotage of any posting site where users apply an AI filter to create a “fake” observation. Making a fake is nothing new in the scientific community owing to the creatures that have been sewed together in the past to fool the public. Using AI to do this makes the act easier and thus more prolific. The second is less nefarious, but still damaging. A person can take a picture of a creature, then use AI to enhance the image so it looks better. This kind of modification introduces false detail and thus impedes true observation. Although some sites such as iNaturalist have employed safeguards to eliminate fakes, the future of Citizen Scientist reporting may be doomed.

Learn more at: https://www.iflscience.com/were-in-a-golden-age-of-citizen-science-ai-slop-is-threatening-everything-it-achieved-84200

Astronomers have been searching the universe for signals that would indicate a source of intelligent life. The SETI orga...
08/11/2026

Astronomers have been searching the universe for signals that would indicate a source of intelligent life. The SETI organization was started in 1984 to systematically listen in on the stars and exoplanets for radio signals that would relay alien communications. Interestingly, astronomers believed that the range of frequencies used would be a narrow radio band between 1.42 and 1.66 GHz. This zone is nestled between the natural signals created by hydrogen and hydroxyl ions (the fundamental components of water). The belief was that because water is fundamental to life, other civilizations would use this narrow band to reach out. In other words, the premise was that aliens must think like us!

Finding no convincing data in the last 40 plus years, the effort now is to shift that philosophy and explore other radio frequencies. Maybe aliens have their radios tuned to a different channel!

Learn More at: https://interestingengineering.com/space/wrong-frequency-astronomers-rethink-where-to-hunt-for-alien-signals

Memories from this past week at the Baker County Fair, with GO STEM’s Mobile Maker Lab! Children of all ages engaged in ...
08/11/2026

Memories from this past week at the Baker County Fair, with GO STEM’s Mobile Maker Lab! Children of all ages engaged in a variety of STEM activities that are now part of the Mobile Maker Lab’s interior design.

STEM learning brings kids together and inspires curiosity, wonder, and career-connected learning and exploration. ✨ This STEM-azing day for the children at the fair was facilitated by GO STEM’s superstar Mobile Maker Lab team, Kyle and Kendra.

All of our programs are free for rural schools, educators, students, and the community of Eastern Oregon. ​If you are interested in a visit from the Mobile Maker Lab team this school year, please contact us today!

đź“Ł Reminder: GO STEM is hosting a meet-up in Union County this Wednesday at Side A!Join us on Wednesday, August 12th at S...
08/10/2026

đź“Ł Reminder: GO STEM is hosting a meet-up in Union County this Wednesday at Side A!

Join us on Wednesday, August 12th at Side A in La Grande for an evening of conversation, connection, and collaboration. Whether you're an educator, nonprofit leader, business owner, community partner, parent, or simply interested in expanding opportunities for local students, we'd love to meet you.

Learn more about GO STEM's programs, share your ideas and needs, and explore ways we can work together.

đź“… Wednesday, August 12
⏰ 4:00 - 8:00 p.m.
đź“Ť Side A Brewing, 1219 Washington Ave., La Grande
🍴 Appetizers provided!

Stop by anytime, and say hello! We hope to see you there!

Please RSVP here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScVrBAf8VtbztNtfjaMKKhznqqMYXfjQqjPwhWQbx1_Kbrnfw/viewform

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1 University Boulevard
La Grande, OR
97850

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