’burg and Beyond

Lewisburg

Every Saturday, Aiden Cherniske ’27 heads to the Lewisburg Children’s Museum to play with robots. As a volunteer for STEM Saturdays, he introduces young learners to science, technology, engineering and math through robotics activities. Growing up in Kent, Conn., Cherniske discovered his passion for technology through a library STEM program, where he learned about coding and robotics. That experience led him to volunteer with the program in high school. Now, the computer engineering major is paying it forward in Lewisburg.

What He Does

Cherniske aims to grab the attention of children under 10 with interactive robotics demonstrations. His work represents a larger mission of the museum to bridge the gap for rural students who are disadvantaged when it comes to STEM education. Cherniske also helps run a LEGO robotics program for middle schoolers at the Donald Heiter Community Center.

The Impact

“It’s so fun to see the kids’ creativity,” he says. They begin with base projects, such as building a helicopter or carousel, and then they experiment with seeing how fast they can make it turn without breaking. One group even asked how they could make the helicopter ADA-accessible. “Seeing them develop those problem-solving skills is the greatest part,” Cherniske says. “Thinking in that way is so important in STEM.”

What’s Next

Looking ahead, Cherniske hopes to expand robotics programming at the museum and start a robotics club there with assistance from Bucknell’s Center for Community Engaged Leadership, Learning & Research.

— Sarah Downey ’25