UWA’s Science Saturdays outreach activities were initiated by Dean Venkat Sharma when he joined UWA’s College of Natural Science and Mathematics in 2009. The program aims to encourage children to develop a love for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields at an early age. The program provides students in elementary, middle, and high schools in and around Sumter County, Alabama, with opportunities to experience hands-on learning activities in science. Science Saturdays activities are held three times during each Fall and Spring semester. Faculty members from the University’s College of Natural Science and Mathematics host science exploration projects through a variety of activities such as, "What Went By?” to learn how to trace animal footprints, and “Dr. Frankenstein" to learn about human anatomy. Science Saturdays activities are free of charge and are open to all children in the appropriate age groups advertised for each event. There is, however, a limit of 25 children per activity, so early registration is encouraged.