Growing Exploration in Science
and Technology (GEST)
Stay tuned for the announcement of the 2026 GEST event! Want to be involved in leadership? Sign up here!
We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to our 2024-2025 sponsors, without whom this event would not have been possible. Thank you so much!
Growing Exploration in Science & Technology (GEST) is a one-day outreach event held annually at the Duke University Marine Laboratory that exposes middle school students to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) activities, resources, and role models.
GEST is a collaborative, graduate student-led event that brings together scientists from different Eastern North Carolina STEM institutions, showcasing the diversity of fields, practitioners, and careers that are possible in STEM. GEST was created to offer a space for local students from diverse backgrounds, including those from under-represented groups, to engage in hands-on activities in an inclusive environment to inspire the next generation of STEM practitioners.
At GEST, middle school students rotate through interactive activities led by local scientists, with each activity representing a different STEM field. The day concludes with a panel discussion led by scientists from different backgrounds and career paths answering students’ questions about their personal journeys and careers in STEM.
Duke University Marine Lab
