EAST PROVIDENCE — The Boys & Girls Club of East Providence recently hosted a special event coinciding with National STEM Day when club members enjoyed activities such as a gaming tournament as well as  a lesson in chemical reactions. The event was sponsored by Cox Communications.

"STEM" is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math education.

The science lessons were instructed by Andrew Perry, STEM coordinator at the Boys & Girls Club of East Providence.

It included mixing vinegar and baking soda together to create a chemical reaction. The kids also observed physical changes as the baking soda dissolved and reacted producing a new liquid solution.

A second experiment included a mixture of vinegar, baking soda, and liquid dish soap, which resulted in a bubbling eruption. The kids learned that the vinegar and baking soda react to release carbon dioxide. As the carbon dioxide builds pressure inside the bottle, it also causes the dish soap to foam. The carbon dioxide carries the foam as it escapes the bottle to create an eruption.

Through these experiments, the kids learned what distinguishes a chemical change from a physical change.

According to the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training’s STEM Jobs 2023 Report, STEM occupations employ over 48,000 workers in the state and is anticipated to grow 9.7 percent during the 2020 to 2030 Projection period for the state.

Valuing future careers in STEM, the Boys & Girls Club of East Providence features a Cox Innovation Lab, which has been outfitted with cutting-edge technology including computers, Podcast equipment, cameras and more.

For years, the Boys & Girls Clubs across Rhode Island and Cox have been committed to bringing exciting STEM curriculums to the heart of the communities. Cox has proudly donated $400,000 to establish or refurbish 19 Innovation Labs at Boys & Girls Clubs across the state.