CORNING, N.Y. (WENY) -- Experiments, presentations, and demonstrations helped local high schoolers make decisions about their futures. The Annual STEM Day with various hands-on experiences for over 600 students was held at SUNY Corning Community College on Wednesday.

To help students find the right path toward a career in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), SUNY CCC teamed up with the Greater Southern Tier BOCES' Career Development Council to create the programming for STEM Day.

"I think this program really helps kids like me who know the direction I want to go into but not the specifics at all," said Elijah Friend, a student at Horseheads High School. "So I know I want to go into definitely a STEM field and help people, but this opportunity kind of allows me to see more hands-on experiences of what we'll be doing in those fields and what it'd be like to have that career."

Over 20 demonstrations grouped into the four STEM fields of study were spread out across CCC's campus.

A few science highlights of the day included using liquid nitrogen to make ice cream and crush grapes, being a chemist and making a glow-in-the-dark solution, and using pyrotechnics to light up some gummy bears and launch objects down the hallway.

"Bringing the students in contact with these employers, it gives them a better idea of what they need to do, how they need to plan and you know what are those opportunities," said Deb Lynch, a career program specialist with the Career Development Council.

Many of the high school students in attendance at STEM Day are graduating in just a few months. For them, this means a lot of big decisions are coming up and some say they may need some guidance to make them.

But, what many don't know, is that there are plenty of STEM-related opportunities available right here in the region.

"You know there's a huge need in the area for to keep our people working here and employed here, and there's a lot of opportunities here at the college to help them progress through the skill sets they need," said Brad Cole, the associate dean of the STEM division at SUNY CCC.

Friend shared that STEM Day allowed him to branch out and learn about new opportunities that he hadn't previously considered. Additionally, he says that he got to learn about it while meeting new people from 25 local high schools.

"You know, don't be scared to do what you don't think you'd like, because if you have your mind set up, you're going to keep experiencing the same experiences, said Friend. "But you really have to open up beyond what you might think and you'll often discover things that are even better."

Lynch added that there is help for employees looking to prepare the next generation for employment in a STEM field. She encourages local companies to reach out to BOCES and its Career Development Council, their local high school, or Corning Community College.