Wright State to host Big Hoopla STEM Challenge on March 15

Wright State will host the Big Hoopla STEM Challenge on March 15 at the Wright State University Nutter Center, where K–8 students can explore hands-on STEM activities, compete in a basketball shooting contest and earn scholarships and other prizes. (Photo by Erin Pence)

Wright State University will host the Big Hoopla STEM Challenge on Sunday, March 15, one of the community events leading up to the NCAA First Four in Dayton.

The event will take place from noon to 5 p.m. in the Wright State University Nutter Center. Registration opens at 11 a.m., with the Hot Shot Finals beginning at 5 p.m.

Students should register at daytonhoopla.com/hoopla-stem-challenge.

This free event for students in kindergarten through eighth grade blends basketball with STEM education through hands-on activities, demonstrations and exhibits presented by regional and national partners.

During the Hot Shot Finals, the top six male and female students in each division will compete for a full in-state tuition scholarship to Wright State. One male and one female student will be honored from each of the following grade divisions:

• Kindergarten through second grade
• Third through fourth grade
• Fifth through sixth grade
• Seventh through eighth grade

Four additional winners will be randomly selected through a raffle.

Students must complete 80% of the STEM passport to be eligible for a Wright State scholarship.

The 12 scholarship recipients will be honored during halftime of an NCAA First Four game on Wednesday, March 18, at the University of Dayton Arena.

Over the last two years, two dozen students have earned Wright State scholarships through the STEM Challenge, changing the lives of students and their families.

Grayson Poe, a first grader at Gerke Elementary in Franklin, Ohio, won a four-year scholarship to Wright State at the 2024 event. Grayson, who dreams of becoming an engineer, attended the event with his mother, Jade Poe, expecting a fun day of basketball and STEM activities.

“His first words to me, with tears in his eyes, were, ‘Mom, you don’t have to pay for my college anymore — I did it all by myself,’” said Poe, who is raising Grayson as a single parent. “That gift is still such a blessing to us.”

Winning a Wright State scholarship at the 2024 Dayton Hoopla STEM Challenge has given Grayson Poe a lasting boost in confidence and inspired him to dream of becoming an engineer. (Photo courtesy of Jade Poe)

The scholarships represent Wright State’s investment in the region’s students, ensuring motivated young learners have access to a transformative STEM education.

“At Wright State, we believe that investing in our region’s young people is an excellent investment in our region’s future,” said Wright State President Sue Edwards. “Our partnership with the Big Hoopla brings the excitement of discovery to students who may one day become the engineers, scientists and problem-solvers our community needs. By offering these scholarships, we are opening doors and providing hope, so every motivated student in our community knows a college education at Wright State is within their reach.”

“We’re always excited when the STEM Challenge rolls around each year,” said Terry Slaybaugh, volunteer chair of the Big Hoopla. “Obviously, providing this free event to students and families is terrific — and it’s getting bigger and better each year — but Wright State University stepping up to offer truly life-changing scholarships is incredible and shows their dedication to opening the gates to higher education.”

Wright State to host 4-Miler walk/run

Wright State will also host the Big Hoopla 4-Miler walk/run on March 15, starting at 10 a.m. The race, which begins and ends at Wright State’s Student Union, will tour the Dayton Campus.

Learn more and register at hoopla4miler.com.

The 4 Miler and STEM Challenge will kick off the Big Hoopla’s celebration of events leading up to the NCAA First Four, highlighting Wright State’s continued commitment to the Dayton region.