STEM Night 2025
It was a night to remember.
We’re proud to share the energy and success of our very first STEM Night with the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers. Science, baseball, and a whole lot of community spirit came together for an unforgettable night. From mascots causing mayhem to a water vapor explosion the entire evening centered on sharing our science with the community. Thanks the NC Science Festival we were able to provide over 1,000 STEM kits that kids of all ages were able to explore at hands-on stations.
Richard Vinroot, a proud Tar Heel, NRI advisory board member, Army veteran, and former mayor of Charlotte, took over the mound to throw the ceremonial first pitch. Vinroot has been a champion for the NRI and North Carolina Research Campus since the very beginning.
“Perfect weather, high-energy mascots, and a thrilling win made for a standout evening–but the real victory was the community impact. You should be proud of the curiosity you helped spark and the future scientists you may have inspired.”
Jason Holt, NRI Advisory Board Member
Fans
STEM Activity Kits
Volunteers
Free Tickets for Kids
After the second inning, a collaborative video lit up the big screen, spotlighting five academic institutes at the North Carolina Research Campus. Spectators saw how universities across North Carolina are joining forces in Kannapolis to advance science, improve health, and shape a better future.
THE FUTURE STARTS HERE
Seven mascots took over the stands stole the show. People were encouraged to take their photos with their favorite university. A dramatic on-field demo by an NRI postdoc sent clouds of vapor into the stands using hot water and liquid nitrogen atop the dugout. And thanks to the NC Science Festival grant we were able to give 100 tickets the local Big Brother Big Sister program as well as several local schools. Teachers hand-picked students who excel in STEM to attend and experience science in action. We are deeply grateful to our more than 50 volunteers, all academic partners, the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers and the NC Science Festival for make this event possible!
HOSTING PARTNERS
NC Science Festival
NC Science Festival is a month-long celebration of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) that takes place every April. This year’s theme is “Science: Everyday, Everywhere, Everyone” – we’re excited to celebrate all the important ways science is woven into the fabric of our everyday lives and to expand access to incredible STEM events to more audiences across the state.
UNC Nutrition Research Institute (NRI)
The NRI is a unit of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and an internationally recognized center that conducts innovative basic and translational science studying how individual differences in requirements and responses to diet affect our individual nutritional needs.
Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
The Kannapolis Cannon Ballers is a Minor League Baseball team of the Carolina League and the Single-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox.
NC Bionetwork
BioNetwork provides industry-driven economic and workforce development for the biotechnology and life science industries across North Carolina through education, training, and laboratory resources. Our mission is to connect and support colleges, companies and students through professional growth and career pathways.
NCRC PARTNERS
NC State Plants for Human Health Institute
a global center for discovery and translation of plant and food innovations for disease prevention and health benefits
UNC Charlotte Bioinformatics Research and Services
applies bioinformatics to the discovery, development, and application of novel computational technologies to help solve important biological problems.
NC A&T Center for Excellence in Post-Harvest Technologies
focus on improving the quality and safety of food after it has left the farm. CEPHT’s goal is the development of multidisciplinary programs focused on post-harvest technologies including research pertaining to processing, preservation, consumer research, recovery of health promoting food components, food safety issues, storage stability and quality and value-added product development for food and non-food uses.
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College
The Rowan-Cabarrus Community College location on the North Carolina Research Campus consists of two buildings that function as a hands-on, realistic training environment for the College’s health, science, and engineering programs.
Duke University
Duke Kannapolis, part of the Duke Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI), operates a state-of-the-art site that accelerates precision genomics and population health research through community-engaged partnerships, enrolling over 14,000 volunteers since its founding in 2007—including participants in the groundbreaking MURDOCK Study—and leads diverse projects focused on biomarker discovery while actively supporting health and wellness throughout Cabarrus County.